Indian Navy Ships Kolkata and Shakti at South Korea to participate in ADMM-PLUS

In a demonstration of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indian Navy’s increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian Naval Ships _Kolkata_ and _Shakti_ have arrived at Busan, South Korea on a five day visit, as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea on 28 Apr 19. IN Ships will participate in ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Busan. The ships were welcomed into the harbour by officials from Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy on arrival.

During the visit, the IN ships will have professional interaction with ADMM-Plus Navies towards further enhancing co-operation between the navies. In addition, calls on senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions are also planned with ROK Navy. A deck reception for the delegates of ADMM-Plus and dignitaries of ROK Navy is also planned onboard INS Kolkata on 30 Apr 19.

_IN_ Ships Kolkata and Shakti have arrived Busan on successful completion of IFR-19 at Qingdao, China. On departing Busan on 01 May 19, IN Ships are scheduled to undertake Maritime Security Exercise with participating navies by a Group Sail with ships of Japan, Philippines and US Navies to Singapore, where the closing ceremony of ADMM-Plus will be held. The Group Sail is aimed at enhancing maritime cooperating, synergising maritime engagements, sharing best practices and standardising operating procedures. At Singapore, _IN_ Ships will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Expo, IMDEX-19 and the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, SIMBEX-19.

The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and Defence Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Development in the Region. The ADMM-Plus countries include ten ASEAN Member States and eight Plus Countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States.