OREANDA-NEWS. In a demonstration of India’s commitment to peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and Indian Navy’s increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian Naval Ship INS Satpura today entered Pohnpei Micronesia on a two day visit, for an operational turn around, as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.

Bilateral relations between India and Federated States of Micronesia have developed in the spirit of South-South cooperation and also through Small Island Developing States (SIDS) forum of the UN. Further, India is also engaged in capacity building and human resource development of the Island nation through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. India also conducts regular dialogues with Pacific Islands Forum, of which Federated States of Micronesia is a member. The current visit, the first ever by an Indian Ship, seeks to further build on the growing bilateral interaction, and underscore the close ties between India and the Federated States of Micronesia.

During the visit, the Indian Naval personnel will have professional interaction with the Division of Maritime Surveillance towards further enhancing co-operation between the two countries. Calls on senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions, aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two countries, are also planned. At the helm of the ship is the Commanding Officer, Captain A N Pramod who is assisted by a team of professional and highly motivated men of the Indian Navy.

The ship is enroute to India after participation in Exercise RIMPAC-16, which is the largest multilateral naval exercise in the world, conducted biennially by the US Navy off the Hawaiian Coast.