Indian Navy ship docks in Bali

An Indian Navy sail training ship is on an expedition to retrace the route along monsoon winds.

Jakarta: An Indian Navy sail training ship, which is on an expedition to retrace the route along monsoon winds, arrived in Bali on Saturday, with its captain hoping that its emotional connect would help in enhancing people to people connectivity between India and Indonesia.

INS Sudarshini arrived at Port Benoa in Denpasar. The sail ship, which set out on a historic voyage from Kochi on September 15, is on a voyage to ASEAN ports to retrace the route along monsoon winds and strengthen the trade, cultural and maritime linkages with this region, said a communiqué. Bali is the vessel`s second port of call in Indonesia. INS Sudarshini earlier visited Padang from October 12-15. Bali has strong historical and cultural links with India and several similarities in culture and traditions are visible in Balinese society. An enthusiastic crowd comprising school children, Indonesian Navy and armed forces, Balinese community, members of the Committee of World Hindu Summit and people from other walks of life gathered at Port Benoa to welcome INS Sudarshini. The ship`s captain, Commander N Shyamsunder, said that he and his crew have been overwhelmed by the tremendous response that it has generated in its short stay in Indonesia especially from young Indonesians and hoped that the emotional connect made here would help in enhancing people to people connectivity between India and Indonesia. AS Takhi, the consul general of India in Bali, said that it was a historic moment for the people of India and Indonesia and the goodwill generated by INS Sudarshini would reinforce the existing warm and friendly ties enjoyed by both countries. He said that he was particularly glad that the two Indonesian cadets on board the INS Sudarshini benefitted from this experience. He also stated that the Consulate General of India started operating in Bali only since January this year, and the arrival of the ship would help in its efforts to deepen the people-to-people contacts. The ship will travel to Manado in North Sulawesi on October 31. IANS