INDIA. Mumbai: The warships from Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh arrived at Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday to participate in the Multilateral Naval Exercise MILAN- 2022, beginning from Friday.
They included: VPNS Quang Trung (016) (Vietnam), SLNS Sayurala (P623) (Sri Lanka), and BNS Umar Farooq (Bangladesh). VPNs Quang Trung (016) is a Gepard class frigate of the Vietnamese People’s Navy (VPN). VPN and Indian Navy regularly interact through bilateral exercises, port visits, and training cooperation, resulting in enhanced understanding, interoperability, and trust between the two Navies, an Indian Navy statement said.
SLNS Sayurala (P623) is the Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). SLNS Sayurala was built by M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd in India and was commissioned into the SLN on August 02, 2017, marking a remarkable milestone in the close naval and maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka. BNS Umar Farooq (F 16) is a Helicopter carrying a Frigate of the Bangladesh Navy. The Indian Navy accorded these ships a ceremonial welcome on arrival.
The exercise is conducted over nine days in two phases: the harbor phase from February 25 to February 28 and the Sea Phase from March 01 to March 04. On occasion, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, said that with a theme “Camaraderie – Cohesion – Collaboration,” the Indian Navy is all set to host the MILAN 2022.
In another development, the Indian Navy has set up a “MILAN Village” at Sailors Institute (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief area) at Visakhapatnam. It has handicraft stalls and food stalls from reputed hotels featuring International and Indian Cuisines to give all participants a fleeting glimpse of India within the short duration of MILAN 2022. It also has curio/souvenir shops for the visitors to take back souvenirs/ event/ Indian memorabilia.
Additionally, the village highlights a daily cultural performance at particular timings. Invited countries participate in the same to facilitate a healthy cultural exchange. The village would be open from 1500 to 2200 hrs. on all days during the harbor phase of MILAN from February 26-February 28.
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