Indian naval ship arrives at Indonesian city (With Image)

Jakarta, Nov 10 (IANS) An Indian naval sail training ship, which is retracing the route along the monsoon winds, Saturday arrived at Indonesia’s Manado city.

INS Sudarshini set out on the voyage from Kochi Sep 15 to retrace the sailing trade route of yore along the monsoon winds and arrived at its last port of call in Indonesia at Port Bitung, Manado Saturday, said a press note from the Indian embassy.

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi province and is known for its breathtaking panoramas of lush mountains, coffee and coconut plantations, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides.

INS Sudarshini’s journey to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states is part of ongoing celebrations to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership. Indonesia is the first stop in its historic journey through ASEAN member states.

A colourful welcome ceremony displaying traditional dances from the Manado region was accorded to the crew of INS Sudarshinie. School children wearing colourful dresses played the band welcoming the crew.

Raveesh Kumar, deputy chief of mission, embassy of India in Jakarta said the visit of INS Sudarshini will go a long way in strengthening the cultural, economic and diplomatic linkages across the Indian Ocean and reinforcing people to people connectivity.

He was glad that INS Sudarshini received a tremendous ovation during its course of journey through Indonesia for the past one month.

The ships captain, Commander N. Shyam Sunder said that his mission to build bridges across oceans through people to people connectivity has been amply demonstrated by the overwhelming response they received from the Indonesian government and its people at all three ports of call in Indonesia.

Ambassador of India to Indonesia and ASEAN, Gurjit Singh, accompanied by Commander Shyam Sunder would also call on the governor of North Sulawesi.

IANS 2012-11-10 15:18:10