Justin Joseph
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Indian Navy To Survey Islands of Mauritius
By vivek raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI - The Indian Navy will assist Mauritius in conducting a hydrographic survey of the island nation for about four weeks beginning March 17, an Indian Defence Ministry release said.
During the last four years, the Indian Navy has conducted about 10 hydrographic surveys in Mauritian waters, including those for Mauritian capital Port Louis harbor, Port Mathurin in Rodrigues Island, Carajos Cargados Shoals and Agalega Island.
Harbors and designated sea areas around the islands also will be covered in the survey.
The Indian Navy has declared that it has to defend its economic and strategic interests, which it says includes the Indian Ocean and rim countries. In 2007, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said, "India has the potential and the capability to be a significant maritime player. I would even venture to say that the Indian Ocean could, in fact, be India's new 'Silk Route.' ... The Indian Ocean's littoral extends from South Africa to Australia."
The Indian Navy has previously conducted survey works along the coasts of Mauritius and Seychelles.
China also is trying to establish strategic links with Indian Ocean rim countries, Defence Ministry officials said. In addition to the Coco islands in Myanmar, China is building a naval base near Maldives in Marao, which is made up of 1,192 coral islands.
"The regular presence of Indian naval survey ships in Mauritius has generated a swell of goodwill and further reinforced the strong links between the two countries," the Defence Ministry release said. "The crew of the survey ships have not only been involved in surveying uncharted waters but have also endeared themselves to the local populace by participating in community-building exercises during their short visits to the harbor, providing assistance in reaching supplies to far-flung islands and acting as goodwill ambassadors."
Indian Navy To Survey Islands of Mauritius - Defense News
By vivek raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI - The Indian Navy will assist Mauritius in conducting a hydrographic survey of the island nation for about four weeks beginning March 17, an Indian Defence Ministry release said.
During the last four years, the Indian Navy has conducted about 10 hydrographic surveys in Mauritian waters, including those for Mauritian capital Port Louis harbor, Port Mathurin in Rodrigues Island, Carajos Cargados Shoals and Agalega Island.
Harbors and designated sea areas around the islands also will be covered in the survey.
The Indian Navy has declared that it has to defend its economic and strategic interests, which it says includes the Indian Ocean and rim countries. In 2007, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said, "India has the potential and the capability to be a significant maritime player. I would even venture to say that the Indian Ocean could, in fact, be India's new 'Silk Route.' ... The Indian Ocean's littoral extends from South Africa to Australia."
The Indian Navy has previously conducted survey works along the coasts of Mauritius and Seychelles.
China also is trying to establish strategic links with Indian Ocean rim countries, Defence Ministry officials said. In addition to the Coco islands in Myanmar, China is building a naval base near Maldives in Marao, which is made up of 1,192 coral islands.
"The regular presence of Indian naval survey ships in Mauritius has generated a swell of goodwill and further reinforced the strong links between the two countries," the Defence Ministry release said. "The crew of the survey ships have not only been involved in surveying uncharted waters but have also endeared themselves to the local populace by participating in community-building exercises during their short visits to the harbor, providing assistance in reaching supplies to far-flung islands and acting as goodwill ambassadors."
Indian Navy To Survey Islands of Mauritius - Defense News
