India is seeking to enhance maritime relations with Saudi Arabia and working to maintain security in high seas, says Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao.
He feels that Saudi Arabia and India both share the strategic Arabian Sea where navies from both countries have a greater role to play. He said that Saudi Arabian Royal Navy ships HMS Dammam and HMS Yanbu had paid goodwill visit to India in the past and Indian Navy ships Tir, Shardul and Veera visited Saudi Arabian ports on goodwill missions to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Addressing a press conference at newly commissioned Indian Navy warship Tarkash that docked at Jeddah Islamic seaport on Saturday, the ambassador said India and Saudi Arabia have common interest in ensuring security, stability and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region including all adjoining seas. He felt closer interaction between both navies would enhance security relations.
The Tarkash is sophisticated and an important component of the Indian Navy, says Capt. Antony George, commanding officer of the ship. He explained that the ship is a guided-missile frigate that was built in Kaliningrad, Russia and commissioned on Nov. 9, 2012.
He said the ship is packed with a high density of weapons and sensors and manned by a highly motivated crew of 253 personnel.
Capt. Antony said that it is one of the most potent platforms of the Indian Navy. It carries cutting-edge modern weaponry which includes surface-to-air missiles, supersonic BrahMos anti-ship missiles, upgraded 100MM medium-range gun, an optically controlled 30MM close-in weapon system, anti-submarine and anti-ship torpedoes and also rocket launchers. It has two helicopter bases.
He said the ship carries a judicious mix of state-of-the-art Russian and Indian system equipped to deal with multiple threats. He further explained that all weapons and sensors are fully integrated with the combat management system.
Capt. Antony said that the ship is capable of operating both the air early-warning helicopter and anti-submarine warfare helicopter. He said that it also has surveillance radar and digital data link that enable aircraft act as force multiplier.
He said currently India deploys an exclusive ship to combat and patrol piracy in Indian Ocean area and if required the Tarkash also can be deployed.
He said that the ship after delivery and commission, passed through Celtic Sea, the United Kingdom, Spain, Port Said in Egypt and then through Suez Canal it embarked for Red Sea. It docked Friday at Jeddah Islamic Port. From here, it will cross the Gulf of Aden. On way to Mumbai, it will pay a visit to Salalah port in Oman.
Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and Military Attaché of Indian Embassy in Riyadh Col. Ajay Kumar were also present at the press conference. Select Indian nationals visited the ship yesterday. They were joined by prominent community members and cadets of the Saudi Royal Navy for a reception on board.
India seeks to boost maritime ties with Kingdom
