Even amidst the continuing decades-old bitterness and suspicion between the two Asian giants, the Indian Navy has dispatched two indigenously made warships to take part in the naval fleet review organised by the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to commemorate its 70th anniversary, in Quingdao, reports Hindustan Times.
INS Kolkata, a stealth guided missile destroyer and INS Shakti, a fleet supporter are taking part in the show which will commence on 21 April.
President Xi Jinping, on 23 April will review the programme and inspect all the participating vessels. Pakistani Navy is unlikely to send any of its ships to the event.
The current heavy deployment of the Indian Navy in north of Arabian Sea is one of the reasons behind Pakistan’s withdrawal from the occasion. Pakistan, earlier, had shown interest to send two of its ships.
India, in 2014, sent two of its front line ships to a similar event that was held to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the PLA Navy. The INS Shivalik had taken part then. The vessel shot into lime light when the Indian authorities declined the Chinese naval chief’s request to show the Combat Information Centre.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.