Indian warships pay friendly visit to Vladivostok

19.04.2011 Five Indian warships arrived in Russia's Pacific Fleet (PF) main naval base Vladivostok on Monday to pay a friendly visit; guests were met with martial music and bread-and-salt hospitality.

Indian and Russian national anthems were played on the pier at the Golden Horn Bay where entered the Indian task unit. It consists of of three destroyers INS Delhi, INS Ranvir, and INS Ranvijay, corvette INS Kirch, and tanker INS Jyoti. Girls dressed in Russian national costumes handed over bread and salt to Indian officers; that is a symbol of Russian hospitality.

The visit of Indian task unit under the flag of Rear Admiral Bish, Eastern Naval Command will last till Apr 22, reports RIA Novosti referring to PF Commander press-secretary Capt 1 rank Roman Martov. PF large ASW ship Admiral Tributs plays a role of the host ship.

"Indian military delegation plans to pay visits to Pacific Fleet command and Mayor of Vladivostok. Indian guests are going to attend memorable sites of the city and the fleet. Indian Navy's band gave a big concert Monday evening in Naval Officers' Club", specified the interviewee.

According to him, during the visit Pacific mariners will play a friendly soccer game with their Indian colleagues. The visit program also includes some informal meetings between naval servicemen of the two countries. Locals and guests of Vladivostok will be allowed to board Indian warships.

"Current visit to Vladivostok is the second one for Indian sailors. First time they did it in 2007 during the INDRA-2007 joint naval exercise. In their turn, PF warships called at Indian ports several times in 90's, and then in 2001, 2003, and 2005", reminded Martov.