INS Shardul’s Visit to Dubai: Strengthening India-UAE Maritime Ties
The Indian Navy’s ship, INS Shardul, completed its visit to Port Rashid in Dubai on October 16. This visit was part of a long-range training deployment and marked a significant step in enhancing maritime cooperation between India and the UAE. The Ministry of Defence highlighted the strong strategic partnership between the two nations.
Key Engagements and Activities
During the visit, the crew of INS Shardul engaged with the UAE Navy through various interactions and cross-training activities. Indian naval personnel visited the UAE’s Naval Officers Training Academy and the UAE Naval Ship, facilitating professional exchanges and discussions on training practices and maritime knowledge.
Community Outreach and Events
The visit also included community outreach events such as yoga sessions, joint training drills, and friendly sporting events, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. A formal reception was hosted on board INS Shardul, attended by UAE Navy members, diplomats, and distinguished individuals from the Indian community.
Maritime Partnership Exercise
Before leaving Dubai, INS Shardul participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the UAE’s naval vessel, Al Quwaisat. This exercise included naval maneuvers, communication drills, and coordinated movements, showcasing the operational coordination between the two navies.
The visit underscores the importance of strengthening maritime relations between India and the UAE and aligns with India’s SAGAR initiative, reinforcing the commitment to enhancing capacity in the Indian Ocean Region.
Doubts Revealed
INS Shardul -: INS Shardul is a ship that belongs to the Indian Navy. The ‘INS’ stands for Indian Naval Ship, and Shardul is the name of this particular ship.
Dubai -: Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is a country in the Middle East. It is known for its modern architecture and luxury shopping.
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East. It is made up of seven smaller regions called emirates, and Dubai is one of them.
Maritime -: Maritime refers to anything related to the sea or ocean, especially in terms of navigation, shipping, and naval activities.
Port Rashid -: Port Rashid is a large port in Dubai where ships dock to load and unload goods or for visits like the one by INS Shardul.
SAGAR initiative -: SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. It is an initiative by India to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
Maritime Partnership Exercise -: A Maritime Partnership Exercise is a practice session where navies from different countries work together. They learn to coordinate and operate together at sea.
Al Quwaisat -: Al Quwaisat is a ship that belongs to the UAE Navy. It participated in the exercise with INS Shardul to practice working together.
