———S. A. Hemanth———
New Delhi, February 25: A new dimension was added to India’s military and diplomatic outreach programme with Navy’s submarine – INS Sindhukesari – docking at Indonesia.
This is the first time that Indian Navy’s Submarine had docked in Indonesian port. Earlier, commercial ships had docked several times.
The docking of Indian Navy’s submarine at Indonesian port is considered significant given the fact that China is also making attempts to establish its hold on South China Sea and step into Indian Ocean.
With the docking of Navy’s Submarine at Indonesian port, India has achieved partial success in reaching out to ASEAN countries in a bid to counter Chinese hegemony.
It may be recalled that China, under Xi Jingping, has been trying to expand its territory with making intrusions into its neighbouring countries.
It is also pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jakarta, had expressed his intention to strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Indonesia.
In specific terms, both Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo had agreed to strengthen cooperation in all areas by establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The docking of Indian Navy’s Submarine INS Sindhukesari is the resultant of that agreement between India and Indonesia.
EOM
