The ship arrived in Mozambique’s capital Maputo on Tuesday, the ministry said in an official statement. It said the visit is aimed at strengthening longstanding diplomatic ties, strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting mutual operations between the two navies.
According to the release, during the visit to Sumedha, the two navies will hold commercial talks, cross-deck visits, planning conferences and joint EEZ surveillance.
Activities during the visit included courtesy calls by the Commanding Officer with various Mozambican dignitaries and government officials, including the Naval Commandant, the Mozambican Navy and the Mayor of Maputo City.
The ministry said Mozambique and India traditionally enjoy warm and friendly bilateral relations and share common values of democracy, development and secularism.
“Bilateral defense cooperation is also being enhanced through regular Joint Defense Working Group (JDWG) meetings,” the statement said.
Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of the Indian Navy’s mission to build ‘Friendly Bridges’ and strengthen international cooperation with friendly countries, the Ministry of Defense said.
INS Sumedha is part of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy based in Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
According to the release, the ship is equipped with multiple weapon systems, sensors, sophisticated navigation and communication systems/electronic warfare suite. Sumedha has in the past undertaken various convoy support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, maritime surveillance and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.