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Three Indian naval vessels – the Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan – arrived in Singapore on Monday, marking the beginning of a three-day visit. This port call comes as part of a larger operational deployment by the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the strategically significant South China Sea.

 

Led by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, the deployment underscores the growing cooperation and strong ties between the Indian and Singaporean navies.

 

The Indian flotilla received a warm welcome upon arrival at Singapore's Changi naval base, with personnel from the Singaporean Navy and the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore greeting the officers and crew.

 

The planned itinerary for the Indian ships includes onward journeys to Malaysia and the Philippines following their stay in Singapore.

 

This deployment to the South China Sea coincides with heightened regional tensions.

 

China has recently asserted its dominance in the region, sparking a standoff with the Philippines, a nation backed by the United States. 

 

The Philippines lays claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested territory within the South China Sea that China vehemently opposes.

 

China has, for a long time, claimed sovereignty over a large portion of the South China Sea, a claim disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

 

Beyond bolstering India's presence in the region, the Singapore visit aims to further solidify the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two maritime nations.

 

A reception hosted aboard the INS Shakti by Rear Admiral Dhankhar and the Indian High Commissioner served as a venue for fostering closer ties. Over 150 guests and mission heads were in attendance.

 

The Indian Ministry of Defence, in a statement, emphasised the significance of the visit, highlighting the planned "interactions with the High Commission of India, professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy as also academia and community outreach amongst other activities."

 

These engagements reflect the shared values and commitment to cooperation between the two navies.

 

The Indian and Singaporean navies boast a history of robust collaboration spanning three decades.

 

Regular port calls, exchanges of best practices, and reciprocal training programs have cemented this strong naval partnership. 

 

The current deployment by the Indian Eastern Fleet serves as a powerful symbol of this enduring partnership and India's growing strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.