By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, June 9:
A German delegation led by Boris Pistorius, Minister of Defence of Federal Republic of Germany visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai on June 07, Wednesday and visited different establishments.
The Minister was accompanied by Benedikt Zimmer, State Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Germany, Dr. Jasper Wieck, Director-General for Security and Defence Policy, MoD Germany), Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India and other delegation members, an official statement read.
The Minister interacted with Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (WNC). The visiting delegation was given a presentation on roles, responsibilities and activities of WNC.
During the visit at Mumbai, the Minister was given a tour of the latest indigenous warship, INS Mormugao wherein the minister interacted with Indian Navy personnel, including women officers from Indian Navy sailing team. He was also taken on a tour of the Mumbai Harbour.
After interaction at Headquarters, WNC, the delegation visited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.in South Mumbai, wherein they were apprised of the indigenous ship building capability of MDL. Pistorius also interacted with Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, at a reception, at WNC Officers’ Mess.
Consequent to India and Germany signing an agreement on Bilateral Defence Cooperation in 2006, there has been significant enhancement in military interactions. Cooperation in the maritime domain is the most enduring and key facet of engagement between India and Germany, which inter alia encompasses training and reciprocal bilateral visits by naval ships and delegations.
Navies of both the countries share converging views on maritime areas of concern, anti-piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The current visit by Pistorius would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
