Mumbai, April 6. A five-member delegation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), led by Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, Chief of RAN, visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai on April 5.
The delegation interacted with Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command on 05 Apr 24 and held discussions on matters of mutual interest and interoperability between the two Navies. The delegation was also given an overview on roles and charter of the Western Naval Command and current challenges in the maritime domain. They were also briefed on the activities of the Western Fleet in the backdrop of the security situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The delegation also visited indigenously built destroyer and a submarine at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
During their visit to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), the delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the yard and about ongoing projects for the Indian Navy.
India and Australia are party to Maritime Dialogue and various Navy to Navy interactions, which are conducted periodically. An MoU on Defence Cooperation has been in force since 2014 and both countries raised their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Jun 2020. Subsequently, naval cooperation between the two maritime nations has also grown substantially over time.
The current visit by the RAN delegation would further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two navies. Both IOR countries maintain similar views on stability, peace and growth which is a prime factor in the blossoming cultural and diplomatic exchanges.
