Indian Naval Ships INS Mysore and INS Tabar will be on a goodwill visit to Mauritius from October 6-8, 2010. These ships belong to the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command based in Mumbai. The Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet Rear Admiral R.K. Pattanaik, YSM, will visit Mauritius during the Ships’ call.

2.  INS Mysore is an indigenous warship designed and constructed in India. INS Tabar is a stealth frigate.  It was the first Naval vessel to take deterrent action against piracy and has thereafter successfully foiled several pirate attacks against merchant vessels including the one on MV Jag Arnav in November 2008 in the Gulf of Aden. INS Mysore and INS Tabar are equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors capable of providing deterrence against maritime threats at sea, including piracy.

3.  The Indian Naval Ships will undertake joint EEZ surveillance in Mauritian waters with the National Coast Guard (NCG) of Mauritius while passing through the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius. A Passage Exercise (PASSEX) will also be held between the Indian Naval Ships and the Mauritius Police Force on October 8, 2010. These exercises will help reinforce maritime security in the EEZ of Mauritius. 
             
4.  The visit of Indian Naval Ships, in addition to EEZ surveillance provides a perfect opportunity for maritime training by experts from the Indian Navy. Port training exercises like Damage Control, Fire Fighting and Maintenance are scheduled in addition to sea training capsules like Search and Rescue, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) and specialised Anti Piracy drills. Special impetus will be provided in training of NCG and GIPM commandos to provide cutting edge strength to the Mauritius Police Force. 

5.  During the port call at Port Louis, the crew of the ships will participate in social activities such as blood donation and in community service and also participate in sports activities. Training sessions are planned onboard the visiting ships on different aspects of maritime operations.

6.  The Indian Naval ships will remain open to the public on Thursday, October 7, 2010. A public performance by the popular Indian Naval orchestra band is scheduled at Le Caudan Waterfront amphitheatre on October 6, 2010 from 1200 hrs to 1330 hrs.

7. The visit of INS Mysore and INS Tabar is yet another manifestation of the comprehensive cooperation between the Government of India and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius. This also assumes significance in the context of ongoing incidents of piracy in the Indian Ocean Region. It reflects the firm commitment and continued engagement of India in further developing and consolidating the multifaceted cooperation between India and the Republic of Mauritius.