| Achong Tanjong |
SOME 75 special students from Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan) accompanied by their teachers as well as parents visited the Indian Navy’s world-class warship INS Satpura (F48) at Muara Port yesterday.
Pengiran Datin Hajah Noraini binti Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin, Executive Trustee of Pusat Ehsan and Haji Ahmad bin Abdul Rahman, member of the Board of Trustees (Policy and Planning) of Pusat Ehsan were also present.
On arrival at the INS Satpura warship, the visitors were welcomed by Indian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Nagma M Mallick and Commanding Officer Captain Rahul Shankar (NM). The visitors toured the ship and listened to a briefing by the naval personnel onboard.
The Indian Naval Ship INS Satpura was in the country for a goodwill visit to celebrate 25 years of Asean-India Partnership and to reaffirm India’s commitment to her partners within Asean. The INS Satpura docked at Muara Port as part of its three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam.
The visit is one of an ongoing series of artistic, cultural and people-to-people activities to celebrate an important milestone in the India-Asean relationship aimed to further strengthen the close and friendly bilateral ties between India and Brunei. The India-Brunei defence relations are a valued part of the bilateral relationship. There is mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas including training, infrastructure assistance, bilateral exercises, HADR, counter-terrorism and maritime security.
This is Satpura’s first visit to Brunei Darussalam, carrying 316 naval officers and crew members. Departing from India in September, the ship made several calls at Asean member countries – including Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand – as well as Japan and Russia. The ship will stop by Malaysia next before returning to India.
During its visit, the INS Satpura engaged with the Royal Brunei Navy in formal calls as well as conducting military exercises, including a Passage Exercise (PASSEX).
The vessel was open for public visit yesterday from 10am to noon, and 2pm to 5pm. During the visit, students had the opportunity to mingle with the personnel onboard.
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