Indian naval ships arrive at Mombasa

In a demonstration of India’s commitment to its ties with Kenya and to promoting maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian naval ships Kolkata and Aditya under the command of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh, have arrived at Mombasa on a three-day visit. 

The ships are part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command and are on a two-month deployment to the Western Indian Ocean.  

The current visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, strengthening the existing bonds of friendship and reinforcing cooperation in maritime security between India and Kenya. During the visit, the warships will interact with the Kenyan Defence Forces on professional issues, aimed at enhancing co-operation and sharing nuances of naval operations including combating threats of maritime terrorism and piracy. 

In addition to professional interactions, the ships, during their stay in harbour, will undertake a plethora of activities, including official calls and cultural events. The ships would also be open to public for onboard visits during the stay at Mombasa.

INS Kolkata is commanded by Captain Rahul Vilas Gokhale and INS Aditya is commanded by Captain Vidyanshu Srivastava. India and Kenya have historical maritime trading links.