Indian naval ships arrive in S Africa for joint exercises

Indian Navy ships, INS Mumbai and INS Karmukh, have reached Durban harbour to participate in the 10-days long exercise with the navies of South Africa and Brazil off the Cape Town coast.

A special reception was accorded to the officers and the crewmembers of the ships, which are scheduled to take part in naval exercises from May 5 to May 15. "The relations between India and South Africa have taken a new momentum with the recent establishment of the Indo-African Forum in New Delhi," Indian High Commissioner to South Africa Rajiv Kumar Bhatia said while addressing the special reception ceremony here. This relationship will now reach new heights when the Indian navy takes part in joint exercises with the South African and Brazilian navies. It is a tremendous boost for the three countries from the South, he added. Indian Consul General in Durban, Harsh Varshan Shringla, prasied the officers and crewmen of INS Mumbai and INS Karmukh for taking part in social upliftment programs for disadvantaged people in the city since their arrival three days ago. The reception was attended by a large number of guests, which include the leader of Inkatha Freedom Party and chairman of the House of Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and the Deputy Mayor of Durban, Logie Naidoo. The two ships will leave the Durban Harbour on Tuesday for Cape Town to participate in the naval exercises.

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