India gifts second fast attack craft INS Tarasa to the Seychelles Coast Guard

NEW DELHI: India has formally handed over the second fast attack craft INS Tarasa to the Seychelles Coast Guard to boost the country's anti-piracy effort and maritime security.

The craft was handed over by Naval Chief Admiral R K Dhowan yesterday in Seychelles and renamed 'Constant' by authorities there.

Presided by James Alix Michel, the country's President, as also Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles defence forces, the ceremony was attended by a host of top ranking officers.

The Indian side was represented Dhowan who had flown in particularly for this event.

Dhowan pointed out that the "waters of the Indian Ocean wash the shores of the two nations, not only making them maritime neighbours, but also bonding them closely in a relationship of deep and traditional economic, social and cultural links".

He went on to highlight the importance of the seas to the economic prosperity of both nations in the 21st century and the need to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean in the face of growing asymmetric and non conventional threats, so that both nations could grow and prosper unhindered, a statement released by the Navy said.

Dhowan stated that the transfer of INS Tarasa to the Seychelles Coast Guard would strengthen bilateral relationship further and bring the two nations even closer.

INS Tarasa is the second fast attack craft to be gifted by India to Seychelles in the recent times, the previous being INS Tarmugli that was renamed PS Topaz.

PS Constant and PS Topaz along with the Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft, also gifted by India, are expected to operate together in the coming years, forming the core of the Seychelles Coast Guard's ability to keep the EEZ of the nation safe and secure from burgeoning maritime threats.