RIYADH: Saudi and Indian officials, as well as members of the local Indian community, gave a warm welcome to INS Tamal and Surat as the Indian naval ships arrived in Jeddah for a port call on Wednesday.
INS Tamal, a multi-role frigate, and INS Surat, a guided missile destroyer, berthed at the Jeddah Islamic Port from Aug. 27-28 as part of regular naval exchanges between India and Saudi Arabia, the Indian Embassy said on Thursday.
INS Tamal has recently been commissioned in Russia and is on its way to India. It is also the last warship to be imported by the Indian Navy.
Indian ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan told Arab News: “I am delighted to welcome the two Indian naval ships to the historic port city of Jeddah. Their visit is a testament to the deepening of bilateral defense ties in recent years. Particularly, Saudi Arabia being one of India’s largest maritime neighbors, our cooperation in the military domain has made steady progress, with a range of joint activities and exchanges between our navies.
“As strategic partners, our two countries are committed to further expand military to military cooperation,” he said.
