ALKHOBAR, 20 August 2007 — A goodwill visit by two Indian warships begins on Aug. 21 when INS Rajput and INS Betwa touch the Saudi waters in Jubail, according to an official of the Indian Embassy. This will further boost the already growing Indo-Saudi bilateral relations. During their stay here, Indian naval officers will be interacting with Saudi naval and other authorities. Mutual exercise maneuvers are also slated, the official added.
It is seen as a great opportunity for mutual benefit, further cementing the friendly relations between the two countries and generating confidence and understanding between the armed forces.
Not surprisingly, there is great excitement among the Indian diaspora in the Eastern Province.
INS Rajput, the first Kashin II Class Guided Missile Destroyer and commissioned into the Indian Navy at Poti (erstwhile USSR) on May 4, 1980 is fitted with an array of weapons and sensors and is designed for multidimensional combat operations thus forming the backbone of the Eastern Fleet. INS Rajput is commanded by Capt. A.K. Jain.
INS Betwa is the second ship of the three indigenously built Brahmaputra Class guided missile frigates. The ship was designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design. The INS Betwa marks yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s drive toward indigenization. The ship is commanded by Capt. Sanjay Bhutani, a specialist in anti-submarine warfare.
