A top-level SA Navy (SAN) delegation this week concluded the 12th round of what is termed “staff talks” with the Indian Navy in Delhi, according to Defence Web.
In Delhi, the SA/Indian talks saw the exchange of best practices in nuclear, biological and chemical defence (NBCD) including damage control as well as diving support, by way of subject matter expert exchanges.
The India-South Africa Navy Staff Talks were co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna of the Indian Navy, and Rear Admiral David Maningi Mkhonto, Chief Director Maritime Strategy of the South African Navy.
India and South Africa witness frequent high level military visits, as well as training exchanges, military exercises and sharing of each other’s good practices – India’s Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, visited South Africa in May this year, for example. Indian Navy warships are also regular visitors to South Africa.
The Indian Navy has a sizeable presence in the Red Sea region, with a dozen warships deployed to provide security against pirates as Western powers focus on attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. In January, the Indian Navy foiled two hijackings by Somali pirates within days.
Peoplesmind