In a significant development, the Russian submarine 'Ufa' arrived at Kochi port in Kerala on Tuesday and has been received warmly by the Indian Navy. Information and images of the warm welcome were shared by the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO). The docking of the Russian submarine on the Indian coast coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Kazan in Russia for attending the 16th BRICS Summit.
Russia Embassy had announced earlier that a detachment from the Pacific Fleet of Russian Navy would arrive at the Kochi port. This group consists of a diesel-electric submarine Ufa and a rescue tug Alatau, which came to the Kochi sea port for a business call. It is not the first time such Russian ships have arrived at Kochi. Russian warships, including the missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov from the Russian Pacific Fleet, docked at Kochi during a long-distance mission.
The crews replenished supplies, went sightseeing, and held friendly naval drills with their Indian counterparts during their stay. The city of Kochi, situated on the south-western coast of Kerala along the Arabian Sea, has become a regular stop for Russian naval ships.
The open visit to Indian waters by Ufa constitutes the Pacific Fleet's more massive long-term mission that started on January 22, 2024. In terms of the mission led by the crews of the Pacific Fleet, the participants have held vast ranges of combat training and conducted day-to-day sea operations. In addition to India, the fleet visited ports in Sri Lanka, Iran, Qatar, and Eritrea. Moreover, this July, the Indian Navy attended the ceremonies marking Russia's Navy Day in St. Petersburg.
INS Tabar, of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet, has taken part in the 328th naval parade on Navy Day, adding muscle to the robust defence ties between the two nations. The Russian Navy has greeted Indian warship during this special occasion.
These exchanges and visits reflected a deepening cooperation between the navies of India and Russia, both of whom have enjoyed extensive close relations in defense and maritime security for decades. Over time, such naval interactions came to be seen as a testament to this long-standing relationship.
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