On Thursday, three Russian Navy ships docked at Cochin in India's southern port, where they will participate in an international exercise called PASSEX with the Indian Navy. In a release, the Indian Navy said the Russian Missile Cruiser Varyag, Destroyer Admiral Tribuz, and Russian Tanker Boris Butoma will sail to Indian ports for a two-day "goodwill visit".

The release said the ships arrived at 9 am IST on Thursday and were received by Senior Indian Naval Authorities.

“The exercise is aimed at increasing interoperability, improving understanding and enhancing best practices between both friendly navies, and will include advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, weapon firings, seamanship exercises and helicopter operations”, the Navy said in a statement.

Anatoly Velichko, Commander of the detachment (Consular Corps of the Russian Pacific Fleet) along with Captain Roman Glushakov, Commander of the Russian Navy Ship Varyag, and Captain 2'd Rank Igor Tolbatov, Commander of the Russian Navy Ship Admiral Tribuz called on Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command.

During the visit of the Russian ships, they entered the region through the Strait of Malacca, as part of their long-term deployment in the Indian Ocean. As Moscow increases its forays into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Russian naval ships are stopping by.

In 2009, Russia joined the Indian Ocean Rim Association or IORA as a dialogue partner. Russia became a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) last year. It is composed of 23 members from countries situated near the Indian Ocean.

While much of the world's energy and trade pass through the region, it has become a focus of increased strategic competition. Port calls have become a regular part of India's and Russia's naval engagement.

In May of last year, the Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs also visited the port. The Russian destroyer participated in joint operations with Indian naval forces. In addition to regular naval exercises such as the INDRANAVY, Indian and Russian Navies still communicate regularly. As part of Russian Navy Day, the INS Tabar took part in exercise Indra Navy 2021 in St. Petersburg.

Dedicated to the long-term strategic relationship between the two navies, Ex INDRA NAVY was established in 2003.

Image source: Prime times