INS Vikramaditya arrives at Colombo port on its first overseas call

COLOMBO: INS Vikramaditya, India's largest warship and aircraft carrier, today arrived at the port of Colombo on its first overseas port call since its induction into the Indian Navy, signaling the close maritime ties between the two countries.

Accompanied by frontline missile destroyer INS Mysore, the Indian Navy's formidable aircraft carrier will be here until January 23.

The ships are transiting from the West Coast of India to the city of Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India to participate in the International Fleet Review being hosted by the Indian Navy next month.

Naval ships from more than 25 countries, including Sri Lanka, will be participating in this prestigious event, the Indian High Commission said.

INS Vikramaditya's maiden overseas port call since its induction into the Indian Navy in 2014 is a manifestation of the close maritime cooperation and mutual trust between India and Sri Lanka.

44,500-tonne Vikramaditya is the largest and newest of the two aircraft carriers operated by the Indian Navy, and is equipped with a variety of integral weapons and sensors.

In Colombo, the crew of the ships will have professional interactions with their Sri Lanka Navy personnel.

In addition, a number of sports and social engagements are planned, which are aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two Navies.

While departing Colombo, the ships will participate in a Passage Exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.

The visit of the ships will provide an opportunity to further deepen the interaction between the two Navies, which undertake a joint exercise, SLINEX, every alternate year.

The Indian Navy also hosts a number of trainees from Sri Lanka Navy in its professional training institutes.