Navy Chief on 5-day visit to Singapore, Thailand

New Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan will leave on a five-day visit to Singapore and Thailand on Monday to consolidate bilateral defense cooperation and explore further avenues in pursuance of India's 'Act East Policy'.

During the Singapore visit, the Chief is scheduled to meet various dignitaries, notably the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of Navy, an official statement said today.

Admiral Dhowan will also visit the prestigious Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI MI) for interaction with the faculty as well as young and middle level officers.

"An overview of the operational facilities at Changi Naval base is also planned besides briefings on International Data Fusion Centre (IFC), Maritime Crisis Centre, Regional Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre (RHCC) and Maritime Security Task Force looking after coastal security of Singapore," it said.

Admiral Dhowan will visit Thailand from 23 to 25 July with an aim of reviewing and furthering the existing maritime cooperation at the highest level.

During his visit, the Chief is scheduled to interact with the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Forces, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Navy, the statement said.

Major areas being considered for furthering cooperation between the navies include hydrography, developing comprehensive maritime domain awareness through exchange of white shipping information, increasing scope of coordinated patrolling among other such areas.