The Indian Navy is taking part in a two-week exercise being held in Seychelles by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the largest international naval alliance in the world, signaling India’s rising interest in the western Indian Ocean.
INS Sunayna entered Port Victoria Seychelles on 24 Sep 22 to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). In addition to demonstrating the Indian Navy’s dedication to maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, this also signifies the first time an Indian Navy ship has taken part in a CMF exercise.
The ship is slated to take part as an associate partner in the CMF’s capacity building exercises. Representative delegations from the USA, Italy, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and ships from the UK, Spain, and India are participating in the joint training exercise.
Professional exchanges with the participating nations are scheduled during her port call.
The Seychelles People’s Defence Force, European Union Naval Force, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and India, which joined forces with CMF earlier this year, are participating in the two-week expedition under the direction of CMF. The 34 member CMF operates in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean.
India- Seychelles partnership
The CMF nations stated that they stand united in defending the international rules-based order to safeguard free trade, guarantee maritime security in the region, and thwart nefarious behaviour by non-state actors.
Seychelles has received four quick patrol boats from India, including PS Zoroaster and PS Topaz. In Seychelles, it has also started a coastal surveillance radar project. Along with a 1-megawatt ground-mounted solar facility on Romainville Island, India also donated US $3.4 million. It is anticipated that the high-impact project will generate enough electricity to power about 400 families.
India and Seychelles have enhanced their defence cooperation over the past few years as two nations that face comparable security problems against the backdrop of the current global scenario and growing security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region.
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