Deployed on a friendly port call in European waters this week, the Indian Naval Ship INS Tabar — a Talwar class guided missile frigate — participated in military exercises with a frontline frigate of the Italian Navy after it entered the Port of Naples as part of an ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean.
According to an Indian Navy statement released Wednesday, INS Tabar entered the Port of Naples on July 3 and was accorded a warm welcome by the Italian Navy. During the stay, commanding officer Captain Mahesh Mangipudi called on senior officers of the Prefect of Naples Authority, the regional Italian navy headquarters, and the coast guard headquarters.
“On departure from port, the ship also undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with ITS Antonio Marseglia, a frontline frigate of the Italian Navy, on 4- 5 July in the Tyrrhenian Sea,” the statement said.
Indian Army Chief of Army Staff Manoj Mukund Naravane is also on a four-day visit to the UK and Italy to deepen bilateral ties with the two European nations. Naravane will be in Italy from July 7-8 after completing his visit to the UK.
India’s efforts to enhance military ties with European giants were greatly favored by western countries, especially India’s ever-growing strategic partners, the United States and France.
