China has confirmed its participation in the Indian International Fleet Review (IFR) in Visakhapatnam in February 2016, official sources told The Hindu . This is the first time the Chinese Navy will take part in the event.
“Their participation will be in terms of both ship and personnel,” a senior Navy official said. The specifics are being worked out.
The development comes at a time of growing competition between the two countries for strategic space in the Indian Ocean with the Chinese Navy’s increasing forays into the region. Commenting on this, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, recently said that “Chinese naval activities are being closely monitored.”
Despite the growing maritime friction, both nations agreed on increasing bilateral naval cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China.
“The two sides will exchange visits of naval ships and hold PASSEX [passing exercises] and SAR [search and rescue] exercises,” said the joint statement issued after Mr. Modi’s discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While 90 nations have been invited, 10 of them landlocked countries, 46 have so far confirmed their participation.
The first IFR on the Mumbai coast in 2001 had 22 countries participating.
Five-day eventPresident Pranab Mukherjee, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will inspect the fleet review. The event is spread over five days from February 5, beginning with an international seminar.
The fleet review will be the last one for India’s ageing aircraft carrier INS Viraat , which is to be decommissioned after February.
