Another page was added to Indo-Mauritius friendship with Indian Navy gifting aircraft spares to the National Coast Guard, at Port Louis, Mauritius on 12 July 13. In a ceremony held onboard INS Sukanya, Mr TP Seetharam, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius handed over three new engines and critical aircraft spares to Hon Dr Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Boollel thanked India for the gesture and reiterated the longstanding cooperation between the two countries. The consignment of spares will assist NCG Mauritius in keeping their vital air assets operational to patrol their expansive maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against piracy and poaching as well as provide search and rescue operations.
The handover of these spares is in consonance with the excellent Indo-Mauritius defence relationship. In addition to providing aircraft and aircraft spares, the over three decades old Indo-Mauritian defence relationship includes co-operation in hydrography, supply of patrol vessels and provision of training to Mauritian personnel.
The spares were carried by INS Sukanya, which is on a deployment to undertake EEZ surveillance and joint patrols, along with NCG Mauritian ships. INS Sukanya is under the command of Cdr Dushyant Purohit.
It maybe recalled that earlier, during a visit to Mauritius in February this year, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral DK Joshi, had also handed over an inshore hydrographic survey vessel to Mauritius on behalf of Government of India.
[mappress] Press Release, July 15, 2013; Image: Indian Navy