Indian Naval Ship ‘Batti Malv’, undertook an operational visit to Trincomalee from 16-17 May 2023. The ship was warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.
The Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval Ship, Lieutenant Commander Man Singh M called on Commander of Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral HGUD Kumara at the Eastern Naval Command Head Quarters. Further, various training engagements were progressed during the ship’s visit including participation in a Yoga session in run-up to the International Yoga Day scheduled on 21 June 2023.
The ship also carried out social interaction with the school children from the Southern Province and provided assistance to improve quality of education. Post departure the ship participated in PASSEX with Sri Lanka Navy Ship Ranadheera off Trincomalee on 17 May 2023.
The visit of the Indian ship Batti Malv, a fast patrol craft, is also significant in view of the potential for cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for augmenting capabilities of Sri Lanka Navy in similar fast patrol craft for efficiently addressing shared challenges for maritime security in the region.
It may be recalled that Indian Naval Ships Kiltan and Savitri had earlier visited Colombo from 03-06 April 2023 to participate in SLINEX-23. Visits by Indian Navy ships in Sri Lanka aim to achieve bonhomie and interoperability between the two neighbouring navies in keeping with the vision of ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy of India.