Indian warship INS Sumitra, which was on a mission in Malacca Straits, on Tuesday entered Port of Sabang in Indonesia.
"The ship sailed from Port Blair and is visiting Sabang for routine operational turnaround, wherein it will take provisions and fuel before going for further deployment in the Indian Ocean," a statement from the Embassy of India in Jakarta read.
As follow up to the shared vision on maritime cooperation in Indo-Pacific released during the official visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia on 29-30 May 2018, a Joint Indian and Indonesian team visited Sabang today to discuss follow up steps for mutual collaboration.
During Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Indonesia, it was decided India would invest and develop the strategic port of Sabang.
The Indian team was led by Ambassador of India to Indonesia Pradeep K Rawat and included officials and business delegates from Andaman and Nicobar islands.
The Indonesian team was led by officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and had senior officials from other government departments including from the provincial government of Aceh.
INS Sumitra is commanded by Cdr Rajesh Rana and has a complement of 17 officers and 129 crew.
This is the first time that an Indian Naval Ship has visited the port of Sabang and will be open to public visitors from Sabang tomorrow.
During its docking at the Sabang Port, a reception was hosted onboard the ship to welcome the visiting Indian and Indonesian delegation officials, who had participated in the India Indonesia Investment Forum in Banda Aceh yesterday.
The visit of the Indian delegation (including delegates from Andaman and Nicobar Tourism Division and Chamber of Commerce), along with Indian CEO's from infrastructure and port development sector, was aimed to explore the potential of trade, commerce and connectivity between the Provinces of Sumatra and Andaman.
Earlier in the day, the Indian delegation was received by the Deputy Chairman of BPKS (Sabang Development Authority) who in his opening remarks emphasized the importance of commercial and people to people contact for mutual benefit.
He also made a presentation on potential opportunities in Sabang Free Trade Zone and briefed key aspects of Master Plan made for the development of the region. The team also visited Centre for Marine and Fishery which is open for private investment in its initial phase of operation.
The Indian delegation was also welcomed by Deputy Mayor of Sabang Zaakaria in the office of City Council and he appreciated the efforts made by both countries to bring the business communities of the two Islands together.
He also hoped that a business delegation from Aceh would also reciprocate with a visit to Andaman and take ahead this initiative to further strengthen economic ties.
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