Speech by H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, at the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Trikand at Kaliningrad, June 29, 2013
At the outset, let me compliment the very smart ‘Guard of Honour’ presented by both navies and the excellent naval band that greeted us on arrival.
I was privileged to be here in May 2011 for the launch of INS Trikand and I am delighted to participate in its commissioning ceremony today. Since we have inducted INS Teg in April 2012 and INS Tarkash in November 2012, today’s commissioning of INS Trikand marks the successful culmination of this important project for the Indian Navy. It constitutes yet another noteworthy milestone for India-Russia defence ties and I warmly congratulate everyone involved in the 1135.6 project on this happy occasion.
Close cooperation and mutual trust have long been a hallmark of the unique and time-tested relations between India and Russia. Our ties have matured in recent years into a special and privileged Strategic Partnership. In the military-technical context, our cooperation has evolved from a more basic relationship into one involving joint R&D and joint production of sophisticated defence systems. The state-of-the-art stealth frigate INS Trikand that we are inducting today too reflects an important transformation in our military-technical ties. Whilst the ship is made in Russia, it has on board many Indian systems, including the ship’s sonar and its entire communications set-up. It is also armed, amongst others, with the BRAHMOS missile, which is the commendable result of a joint Indo-Russian cooperative effort and is probably the best supersonic missile in the world. Integrating equipment from diverse sources into a composite whole is one of the more challenging aspects of ship building and I congratulate those involved in successfully undertaking this task in the case of INS Trikand.
INS Trikand is the third Indian stealth frigate to be built at the Yantar Shipyard and will be yet another fine symbol of our deep-rooted partnership. I extend my hearty felicitations to its designers as well as to its builders at the Yantar Shipyard for their dedicated hard work in fulfilling this challenging project. My congratulations also go out to the Russian Navy, which has worked closely and harmoniously with its Indian counterpart in conducting the ship’s sea trials.
On this joyful day, let me also wish good health and prosperity to the citizens of the beautiful city of Kaliningrad and convey my deep appreciation to them for the hospitality and welcome that they so graciously extended to the crew of INS Trikand during their stay here.
I would also like to compliment the Commanding Officer and the entire crew of INS Trikand for having successfully completed their training in Russia and taken charge of their ship. It is very nice to see the zeal and thorough professionalism with which they have fulfilled the tasks assigned to them.
INS Trikand leaves shortly to join her sister ships in the Indian Ocean and bolster the growing blue water capabilities of the Indian Navy. I am confident that she will effectively discharge her maritime responsibilities in the decades ahead. I wish INS Trikand as well as her Commanding Officer, Captain Ajay Kochhar, and the ship’s entire company much success and glory in the service of our great nation, India.
May INS Trikand be blessed with fair winds, following seas and fathoms below her keel!
Jai Jawan and Jai Hind!
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