Indian warship INS Godavari will enter Mombasa harbour on August 17 on a four-day visit. It is a part of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to the Red Sea and East Africa. Based in Indian navy Western Command, INS Godavari is commanded by Captain R Sarin, NM, and is indigenously designed ship built at the Mazgaon Docks, Mumbai.

This ship has participated in OP Cactus in 1988 where in it was involved in suppressing an anti government coup in Maldives thus restoring peace and stability. This ship is good example of India’s prowess in warship design and construction. The experience of constructing such warships has given India the capability and know-how to embark on maiden project of building the country’s first aircraft carrier at Kochi, in Southern India.

The ship was recently up-graded to possess modern weaponry, electronic warfare sensors, and missile systems and is capable of carrying two ‘Seaking’ anti-submarine helicopters in her twin hangars.

Over the years, Indian naval vessels have regularly paid visits to ports in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, reaffirming their presence and solidarity for peace with countries in the region.

The commitment of India to honour friendship and promote stability amongst ‘maritime’ neighbours was tested during the Tsunami disaster that struck Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives apart from the shores of Eastern Indian in Dec 2004.

The Indian Navy’s ships and aircraft were among the first to provide relief and humanitarian aid on that occasion.

The Indian Navy has also been in action during Operation Sukoon in 2006, in which citizens of many nations were evacuated from the war-torn zone in Lebanon.

The present visit seeks to foster maritime goodwill between our two nations that share a rich cultural and maritime heritage. The bridges of friendship that the ships of the Indian Navy aim to build by this visit would serve to bring the two nations even closer, enhance existing bonds between India and Kenya, and cement ties for greater engagement in the years ahead.