Indian navy ships wrap up Victoria visit with reception onboard |03 April 2023
Marking the successful completion of the OTR of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, a ‘double-deck’ reception was hosted onboard INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi on Friday evening at Port Victoria.
The reception was hosted by the high commissioner of India to Republic of Seychelles, Kartik Pande, along with Captain Sarvpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of INS Tir and the commanding officers of INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi. The event was attended by some government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, CDF and other high dignitaries from the government of Seychelles, senior officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces, eminent members of the Indian diaspora and the officers of the visiting squadron.
The three ships were on visit to Seychelles from March 29 to March 31, prior to which they undertook Joint EEZ surveillance with SDF personnel onboard.
The ships delivered transshipped machinery spares and defence gear gifted by India to Seychelles thus enhancing the operational capabilities of SDF.
The three-day schedule of the ships included engagements with the local citizens through open ship visit, a mesmerising Indian navy band performance at the National Museum of History and wide-ranging exercises with the SDF.
In his reception address, HC Pande highlighted the recent significant engagements of India-Seychelles Defence partnership including support in terms of capacity building through ITEC, regular ship visits, joint military exercises as well as joint patrolling to mitigate challenges including against IUU fishing, narcotics and human trafficking.
He conveyed that a salient feature of the visit of the 1st Training Squadron was the presence of a Seychellois official on board who has trained and sailed with the Indian ship forming life-long professional bonds.
Chief of Seychelles Defence Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette, in his remarks, thanked the crew of the ships for hosting a plethora of activities on board and especially for arranging the transshipment of Seychelles Air Force Dornier engines from Seychelles to India for repair.
“We know that in India we have a friend who always assists us whenever the need arises. We look forward to the continuation of this partnership and are sanguine that our special friendship will continue to go from strength to strength,” added Brigadier Rosette.
The reception included a musical performance by the Indian navy band that was followed by dinner, attended by Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries & the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde; Minister for Intenal Affairs, Errol Fonseka; Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, Devika Vidot; Commissioner of Police, Ted Barbe and other high dignitaries.
The visit of the 1st Training Squadron is a shining example of the depth and ambit of the warm and cordial India-Seychelles relationship.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the reception.
Press release from the Indian high commission
