INS Sunayna visits Mombasa, Kenya to strengthen bilateral ties

Tags: Defence International News

INS Sunayna visited Mombasa, Kenya, with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties with maritime neighbors under the theme of Ocean Ring of Yoga.

An overview of the news

• The Commanding Officer of INS Sunayna held a meeting with Brigadier Y S Abdi, Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy, and emphasized the significance of Yoga in fostering unity and bringing the world closer together.

• On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2023, a joint Yoga session was conducted onboard INS Sunayna, involving Indian Navy personnel and members of the Kenyan Defence Forces.

• A Maritime Partnership Exercise took place between the Indian and Kenyan navies, where drills related to firefighting, damage control, boarding exercises, asymmetric threat simulations, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) operations were carried out during the harbor phase.

• An onboard Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capsule was also conducted to enhance the capabilities of the Kenya Navy.

• In honor of General Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Kenyan Defence Forces, a reception was hosted onboard INS Sunayna by Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. 

• The event was attended by Namgya Khampa, the High Commissioner of India in Nairobi.

• As a symbol of goodwill, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff gifted 200 life jackets to Major General Jimson Muthai, Commander of the Kenya Navy.

• Prior to departure from Mombasa, INS Sunayna conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Kenya Naval Ship Jasiri on June 23, 2023, further strengthening the maritime cooperation between the two navies.