New Delhi, October 16. INS Sumedha made a port call at Lagos, Nigeria on October 13 as part of its deployment to Gulf of Guinea. The visit was aimed to further strengthen diplomatic relations, reinforce maritime co-operation, and boost interoperability between the two navies. Various activities including professional interactions, planning conferences in harbour and exercises at sea are scheduled for exchange of best practices.
In addition to social engagements and sports fixtures, the ship conducted a Medical Camp along with Nigerian Navy doctors for the local populace. Sumedha will also be undertaking Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with NNS Unity, with the aim to augment interoperability between both navies.
This is the Indian Navy’s second deployment to the piracy prone Gulf of Guinea (GoG)patrol after the maiden GoG patrol was undertaken by INS Tarkash in Oct 22. The Indian Navy aims to partner with Regional countries in combating piracy & ensuring secure seas for unimpeded trade.
INS Sumedha, commanded by Cdr MC Chandeep, is third of the indigenously designed and manufactured ‘Saryu’ Class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV). The ship has the capability to be deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations. It is equipped with weapon systems, sensors, state of art navigation, communication systems and Electronic Warfare suites. INS Sumedha has undertaken various Fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and HADR missions in the past, including the recently conducted Op Kaveri for evacuation of Indian diaspora from war hit Sudan in April 23.
Nigeria and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations, sharing common values of democracy, development and secularism. A number of bilateral arrangements for defence co-operation and cultural exchange exist between the two countries. The deployment also highlights warm and cordial relation of India with West African countries.
