New Delhi: INS Sumedha, an next generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, which is currently deployed for anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, docked in Djibouti on January 25.
The visit of the ship is coinciding with the first Republic Day celebrations of the newly established Embassy of India at Djibouti.
On arrival, the Ship’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Soumyajit Mohanty, called on the Ambassador Ashok Kumar wherein he was briefed about the role of the ship in maintaining the Indian Navy’s Mission Based Deployment in the Gulf of Aden.
The Ambassador later visited the ship and interacted with the ship’s crew.
The ship’s crew also participated in the reception hosted by the Embassy of India later in the day.
On the occasion of the 71st Republic Day, the ship’s crew participated in the flag hoisting ceremony at the Embassy of India, wherein a Colour Guard was also paraded.
The event was attended by the Embassy staff and large number of Indian origin personnel who are settled in Djibouti.
Later in the day, the ship was open for distinguished visitors, personnel of Indian Origin and the local media.
The Chief of Staff of the Djiboutian Navy, Colonel Ahmed Daher Djama and Colonel Moustapha Ali Handouleh, Military Advisor to the President of Djibouti visited the ship and were given a tour of the indigenously built ship on this occasion.
A Blood Donation Camp was also organised by the ship in conjunction with the Embassy of India and the Ministry of Health, Djibouti, at the Peltier Hospital, Djibouti to commemorate the 71st Republic Day.
