Article Posted on : - Apr 18, 2014

A file photo.

SINGAPORE (PTI): Defence relationship between India and Singapore has been growing steadily and it includes the three defence services, Indian High Commissioner to Singapore has said.

"Our defence relationship has been growing steadily," said Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Vijay Thakur Singh yesterday pointing out the visits by the Chairmanship of the Staff Committee and Chief of Army in January, Chief of Air Staff's visit in February, the Director General of Coast Guard and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sagar visits in March to Singapore.

She highlighted the training interaction between the two countries and welcomed the visit of Flag Officer commanding-in-Chief South Naval Command, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, and the first training squadron to Singapore.

"The visit of the training squadron is significant because training is one of the most enduring and the strength of the defence cooperation between India and Singapore," she said during a reception hosted on board Indian Naval Ship Sujata at Changi Naval Base, which was attended by the officers from Singapore navy and diplomatic guests.

"Our training interaction goes to the early days of establishment of our diplomatic relations which would complete 50 years next year," said Singh.

She also said that India-Singapore defence cooperation covers defence research and development.

"Visits from Singapore defence services were also regular, and two of them are in the final stages of planning," she said.

Vice Admiral Soni and naval ships, INS Gharial, INS Sujata, INS Sudarshini and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna are on a goodwill visit to the region.

The First Training Squadron's next port of call would be Phuket in Thailand and Yangon in Myanmar.