Iran, India hold first joint naval exercise since lifting of international sanctions

by WorldTribune Staff, May 30, 2016

India and Iran will hold a joint naval drill on June 3 which focuses on the Strait of Hormuz.

The exercise is the first between the two countries since the lifting of international sanctions on Teheran in January 2016.

Indian frigates in Iran.
Indian frigates in Iran.

Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Iranian Navy, confirmed the exercise.

Meanwhile, two Indian warships last week docked in Iran, IRNA reported. The Indian Navy flotilla, including the INS Trikand (F51) and INS Ganga (F22) frigates, docked at the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.

Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the Indian flotilla on May 24, the commander of Iran’s First Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Amir Hossein Azad, said the presence of naval units from different countries, particularly regional states, in Iran conveyed the message that sustainable peace and security would be possible only through cooperation with all regional states.

“Interaction among regional countries will have a positive effect on increasing the level of political, economic and military relations which will help boost maritime security and peace,” Azad said, noting that it was the second time that Indian warships had berthed in Iran over the past year.

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