Indian Navy

"We understand that the case has been referred to the court by the public prosecution. The first hearing was held on March 29, which was also attended by the lawyer appointed for the case," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing.

According to Major Gen. Satbir Singh (retd), chairman, IESM and advisor, United Front of Ex Servicemen, the Ex-Indian Navy personnel were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services in Doha, as per a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Qatar. Their job was to train Qatar Navy personnel.

The incident took place on August 9 (Tuesday) when an Indian sailing vessel -- 'Jamna Sagar' -- sank with 10 crew members onboard, according to the statement, Geo News reported. As the ship was sinking, the navy responded to a distress call and the Pakistan Maritime Information Centre requested a nearby merchant ship, MT Kruibeke, to provide necessary assistance to the stranded crew of the drowning sailing vessel.

Alleging that several media have misinterpreted the news, the Ministry of Defence ruled that the recently signed maritime security pacts with the Government of India would neither result in hindrance nor threat to the national security of Sri Lanka. The Defence Ministry clarified that several security pacts signed with India over setting up of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), a Floating Dock and Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft.

These exercises are aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices between both the friendly navies, and this will involve advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, weapon firings, seamanship exercises and helicopter operations, Navy officials said, adding that these exercises are conducted regularly with units of friendly foreign navies, whilst visiting each other's ports or during a rendezvous at sea.

Gilday is visiting India to reaffirm the growing level of naval cooperation between the two nations. During meetings, security challenges in Indo-Pacific region would be deliberated upon at length. "Make no mistake, India is one of our closest strategic partners, and our relationship is a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Gilday.

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are participating in the third edition of 'Samudra Shakti' with the Indonesian Navy scheduled off the approaches to Sunda Strait from September 20 to September 22. The exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship, enhance mutual understanding, and interoperability in maritime operations between the two navies.

The Indian Navy Task Group comprising INS Shivalik and Kadmatt, under the command of Eastern Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, is participating in the fourth edition of AUSINDEX from September 6 to September 10. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Warramunga, which participated in exercise Malabar along with the Indian Navy units, is part of the exercise.