Indian vessels in PH for goodwill visit

INS Kadmatt (P-29), an anti-submarine warfare, is one of the two Indian Navy vessels that arrived in Manila on October 3, 2017 for a four-day goodwill visit. PHILIPPINE NAVY PHOTO

Two Indian Navy vessels arrived in Manila on Tuesday for a four-day goodwill visit, the Philippine Navy has announced.

The INS Saptura (F-48), a P-17 class stealth frigate skippered by Captain Rahul Shankar and INS Kadmatt (P-29), an anti-submarine warfare corvette skippered by Commander Nithin Cariappa are in the country “to enhance and strengthen the mutual relationship between two nations, the Philippine Navy said in a statement.

“It promotes closer cooperation and the commitment of both forces to promote peace and stability in the maritime region,” it added.

The vessels, which berthed at Pier 15 in South Harbor around 10 a.m., were rendered customary meeting procedures by BRP Rajah Humabon (FF-15) six nautical miles west off Corregidor Island.

Philippine Navy representatives accorded the Indian Navy a welcome ceremony followed by a port briefing on security and health aboard the designated Indian Navy vessel.

The four-day visit includes confidence-building engagements between the navies of the Philippines and India such as courtesy call to the Navy Flag Officer in Command, shipboard tours, goodwill games, receptions, and hosted dinner.               /kga