INS Tarkash visiting Mozambique

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The Indian Navy frigate INS Tarkash is visiting Maputo, Mozambique, for a three-day visit as it heads around the African coast.

The vessel arrived on 25 September and is expected to depart on the 28th. According to the Indian Navy, during the port call, Captain Sathish Vasudev will pay courtesy calls on various dignitaries and government officials including the Minister of National Defence, Chief of General Staff, Mozambique Defence Forces and Commander of the Mozambique Navy. Professional interactions are planned with the Mozambique Navy towards further enhancing co-operation between the two navies. In addition, social engagements, sports events and best practices will also be shared between the two Navies. Further, the ship will be kept open for visitors on 27 September.

“Mozambique and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral relations, sharing common values of democracy, development and secularism. There have been regular high level exchanges and interactions in numerous fields between both countries,” the Indian Navy said.

Bilateral Defence Cooperation is being progressed through regular Joint Defence Working Group meetings. Indian Naval Ships Sujata, Shardul, Magar and ICGS Sarathi, of the First Training Squadron undertook a port call at Beira in March 2019 and provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the local population in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.

INS Tarkash previously visited Namibia as part of its overseas deployment to Africa, Europe and Russia, arriving in Walvis Bay on 15 September for a three-day visit. The ship’s commanding officer paid a courtesy call on local leaders and defence officers to discuss bilateral cooperation

The frigate, which left India in June, previously stopped in Nigeria for a three-day visit on 5 September, celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria. Before that, Tarkash made a three day port call in Dakar, Senegal, from 27 August. In July, Tarkash was in Morocco for a friendly visit and also docked in Djibouti and Egypt.

INS Tarkash (F50) is the second of the three Teg-class stealth frigates acquired from Russia and was commissioned into Indian naval service in November 2012. The ship is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational Command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

The vessel has made other visits to countries around the world, including South Africa. She has also taken part in anti-piracy operations off East Africa.

INS Tarkash is expected back in India in October.