Article Posted on : - May 26, 2009

India, Saudi Arabia National flag. A file photo.

JEDDAH (BNS): Indian two naval ships INS Aditya, and INS Delhi, has started ‘Passage Exercise’ with the Royal Saudi Navy (RSN) from Monday. The exercise will also look towards the piracy situation among that region, according to Rear Admiral S.P.S. Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

“Piracy has been an ongoing thing since time immemorial. Some times it raises its head in the Straits of Malacca, and sometimes in the Gulf of Aden,” Cheema answered media in a press conference on board for the raising piracy issue.

“Exercises such as – PassEx – help us learn each other’s operating procedures. The idea is to get understanding so that as and when the need arises we can operate together,” he said, and stressed, “Today we have got a fair amount of confidence level of working with the RSN.”

“We have been escorting ships – not just Indian, but any ship that is there in the area. The Indian naval ships’ route is promulgated well in advance so whichever ship is coming we provide support and cover to it. When there is a distress call from any ship in the distance we respond to it by sending the ship or helicopter, whatever the case may be,” he said.

The Admiral said that there are no loop holes from Indian as far as anti- piracy measures are concerned, and sea lanes of communication around India are safe.

“We are having a naval ship around the clock 24/7 on patrol in the Gulf of Aden. Their presence is promulgated well in advance so that all the ship owners can direct their ships to take support of these ships that are present there to be escorted through the piracy-prone areas,” he added.