Indian warships pay visit to boost ties

CHON BURI, May 17 (TNA) – The Indian Navy sent its two vessels to Thailand to boost bilateral ties and promote regional security. The Sahyadri frigate and the Shakti fleet tanker were docked at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri from May 13 to 17. Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the visit was aimed to promote relations with the Thai Navy for the sake of regional security and stability. India and Thailand had long-standing ties covering cultural, religious and economic fields and the navies of both countries had cooperated closely for a long time, especially on joint patrols and exercises, RAdm Tripathi said. The 142-metre-long Sahyadri frigate was totally made with Indian parts and equipment with a displacement of 3,000 tons. It can carry about 300 people and two helicopters. It was equipped with guns with a 16-kilometre range, missiles with a range of 230 kilometres and a radar system with a coverage radius of 400 kilometres. Both Indian warships will next visit Singapore, Vietnam, Guam, Fiji and Indonesia. (TNA)