MILAN 2012 begins at Port Blair
Gujarat Global News Network, Kolkata
MILAN-2012, a biennial congregation of Littoral Navies of the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the Indian Navy, commenced at Port Blair, in Andaman and Nicobar islands, today.
Navies of 14 countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand are attending the event that ends on February 6.
The arrival of foreign ships at Port Blair today marked the beginning of MILAN 2012. On arrival, the ships were given the traditional naval welcome at the Naval Wharf. The visiting ships' officers and men will visit the city of Port Blair. They will also a visit to the National Memorial.
The event encompasses a wide gamut of social and cultural exchange activities aimed at fostering better understanding and bonhomie between our littorals. The event offers tremendous scope for showcasing the Indian Armed Forces at the international stage and allows for cultural exchange between the nations.
Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Nirmal Verma will visit Port Blair on Thursday. The Admiral will interact with the CINCAN (Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command) Lt Gen NC Marwah and all officers of the Command visit Naval Air Station, Campbell Bay and interact with the troops.
The CNS would also address the international seminar on ‘Capacity Building Through Maritime Cooperation’ to be held on February 3, as part of MILAN-12.
Earlier on Monday, Lt HK Singh, returned after touching Phuket in Thailand, covering a distance of over 1600 Kms. He had set sail from Port Blair on January 17, along with a crew of two officers and five sailors on an Indian Naval Sailboat J-24,
The fortnight long naval expedition, conveying a message of 'friendship across the seas', was also an expedition to serve as a curtain raiser to MILAN-2012.
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