Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
New Delhi:
India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant saw another precedent today – the visit of a foreign prime minister on board.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is on a visit to India, received a guard of honor aboard the tanker today.
“I am honored to be here today on the recently commissioned INS Vikrant, designed and manufactured in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to placing India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region even further,” Mr Albanese said in a statement. .
He said, “…what lifts defense relations to new heights is the determination and insight of those who see the relationship not just for what it is, but for what it could be. Prime Minister Modi is one such person.”
India and Australia are close strategic partners. In August this year, Australia will conduct Naval Exercise Malabar with India, Japan and the United States. India will participate for the first time in Australia’s Talisman Saber exercise.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart watched the Fourth Test between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for half an hour.
INS Vikrant was commissioned into the Navy in September last year. The 45,000 ton warship was built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore. At 262 meters long and 62 meters wide, it is the largest warship to be built in India. It can have 30 aircraft on board, including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters. The warship could accommodate a crew of about 1,600.
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