With an aim to progress relations between the Bangladesh Navy and the Indian Navy, an Indian battleship INS Ranjit arrived in Chittagong port yesterday on a three-day courtesy visit.
Chittagong Naval Region’s Chief Staff Officer Captain AKMM Sherafullah welcomed the destroyer-series battleship at a jetty of Chittagong Port around 2:45pm in the presence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner Somnath Halder, said navy sources.
Bangladesh Navy Intelligence Commander (Chittagong in-charge) Shamim Mohammad Khan said the battleship led by Captain Mahendra Veer Singh Negi, along with 50 officials and 350 crew members, entered the Bangladesh water territory yesterday morning after which BNS Samudra Joy welcomed the guest ship and escorted it to the port.
“The Indian Navy officials and crews will visit historical places in the port city while Naval Academy students, different naval base officials, school, college and university cadets under Bangladesh National Cadet Corps would visit the guest ship,” the intelligence commander said.
“It’s a routine visit between two countries which strengthens our relation,” he added.
Remarking the visit a great pleasure for Indian Navy, Captain Mahendra said they were rejoiced by the warm welcome of Bangladesh. He also expressed hopes that the visit would strengthen the bond between the people of the two countries.
The 146.50 metre long destroyer-series INS Ranjit has multi-dimensional amenities to fight with battle aircrafts and battleships and can also contribute during man-made and natural calamities, said the ship’s Commanding Officer Captain Mahendra.
INS Ranjit is scheduled to leave the country on February 26.