Press Release - Visit of INS Sukanya to Mauritius from March 9 - April 3, 2011

At the request of the Government of the Republic of Mauritius, the Government of the Republic of India has deployed Indian Naval Ship INS Sukanya in Mauritian waters from March 9 – April 3, 2011 to conduct Joint Patrolling and Surveillance of the vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius.

The primary objective of the mission is to reinforce deterrence to ongoing pirate activities north of the EEZ of Mauritius. The Joint Patrol will also help to check illegal fishing within the maritime zones of Mauritius. Passage Exercises (PASSEX) and joint anti-piracy drills are also envisaged involving Mauritius National Coast Guard (NCG) personnel. These activities will seek to further enhance the skills of both the Indian Navy and the Mauritius NCG acquired during earlier joint exercises.

During her two port calls in Port Louis from March 16-19, 2011 and from March 28 – 31, 2011, INS Sukanya will impart extensive harbour training to Mauritius National Coast Guard personnel. The ship’s crew will also participate in various social and community activities during port calls.

A constituent of the elite Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy which is based in Vishakhapatnam, INS Sukanya is the lead vessel of the Sukanya class Patrol Vessels of the Indian Navy. It was commissioned on August 31, 1989. A high endurance ship endowed with the capability of remaining at sea for long durations, INS Sukanya can carry a Chetak helicopter, an Advanced Light Helicopter and Sea King helicopter for operational missions including airborne surveillance and search and rescue. A versatile platform, she is equipped to undertake torpedo recovery, launch and recovery of Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) and surface targets, replenishments of minor war vessels at sea and various other support roles including the critical role of disaster relief during natural calamities. The ship has a four bed hospital with a qualified medical officer. The ship has the unique distinction of being the ‘President’s Yacht’ twice during the President’s Fleet Review.

INS Sukanya is commanded by Commander Janak Bevli who was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1991. Cdr. Bevli has vast experience as a Sea Harrier pilot, with more than 1000 hours flying and 350 deck landings on the aircraft carrier INS Viraat to his credit.

Enroute to Port Louis and during the course of its EEZ patrol, INS Sukanya visited Agalega on March 13, 2011 for humanitarian work aimed specifically at providing medical aid and replenishing essential commodities required by the Outer Island Development Corporation (OIDC) at Agalega. The officers and crew members of INS Sukanya conducted a medical camp for the benefit of the inhabitants of the island on March 13, 2011. During the camp, the ship’s onboard doctor undertook medical checkup of almost 75 patients and administered free medicines. The ship also donated two first aid boxes and a large quantity of medicines required at the island’s local hospital. Learning about a shortage of onions, INS Sukanya provided 100 kgs of onion and fresh vegetables out of its own rations for the benefit of the islanders. The ship is also providing passage to NCG and other civilian personnel working at Agalega, back to Mauritius.

India and Mauritius share unique ties which are time-tested and multi-dimensional. The deployment of INS Sukanya to Mauritian waters reflects the consistency of ongoing bilateral maritime cooperation in the prevailing environment characterised by the lingering threat that piracy poses to maritime trade and development in the Indian Ocean Region.