Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Chief of Navy, New Zealand (CNNZ) is on a visit to Kochi from 17 to 20 June.
The visit of the Admiral coincides with the goodwill visit of Her Majesty's New-Zealand Ship Te Kaha which is at Kochi from 18 to 22 June.
During the visit, CNNZ interacted with Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and other senior officers of the Western Naval Command.
A 50 men Guard of Honour was presented to the visiting dignitary.
The CNNZ is also scheduled to visit INS Sudarshini, the Sail Training Ship of the Indian Navy, Damage Control Training facility.
The Chief of Navy New Zealand accompanied by New Zealand delegation also visited places of cultural interest in Kochi, including Kerala Folklore Museum and undertook Kochi harbour familiarisation.
HMNZS Te Kaha, a 3600 Tonne Anzac Class Guided Missile Frigate has been participating in counter piracy operations with Combined Maritime Forces in the Persian Gulf.
The ship departed Devonport, her baseport, on 16 Feb 15 and is presently on her return passage to New Zealand. Professional interactions and social events are being organized for the crew of HMNZS Te Kaha during the ship's visit to Kochi.
Naval ships and military delegations from New Zealand have been regularly visiting India. India and New Zealand have enjoyed good relations as members of the Commonwealth, sharing commonality extended by virtue of commitment towards secularism, democratic freedom and common interests as Indian Ocean Littoral states and the current visit by CNNZ and HMNZS Te Kaha would further strengthen the existing bonds between the two Navies.
