Beijing, April 25: Addressing the Indian Community on board the INS Shakti, India’s Ambassador to China Vikram Misri encouraged the residents to be proud representatives of India in their conduct and continue bringing laurels to the nation. INS Kolkata and INS Shakti of India had been to China’s Quingdao port participating in the PLA Navy International fleet review this year.
The ship was open to the Indian residents on the evening of April 24 when the Commanding Officer of the INS Kolkata, Captain Aditya Hara and Misri co-hosted an on board reception for dignitaries from the navies participating in the IFR, local government and businesses.
While the Indian Ambassador was given a tour of the said vessel by the Commanding Officers, he also addressed the media on the occasion. “It’s a pleasure to meet the Indian navy delegation participating in the PLA International Fleet Review at Qingdao. Its also a proud moment for the Indians that these two huge vessels have their conduct here”, he said.
The Guest of Honor at the event was Vice Admiral Kang Fei, the Political Commissar of Northern Theatre Command, PLA Navy, the statement read opening the sip for the general public providing a unique opportunity for direct engagement with the people of Qingdao.
INS Kolkata is an indigenously designed and built stealth destroyer. It is the first of a class of three such ships and is the biggest destroyer built by India. INS Kolkata is equipped with the latest weapons and sensors, and is capable of simultaneously engaging multiple threats from the air, sea and underwater.
However, the energy vessel INS Shakti is a Fleet Support Ship. It exists to provide fuel and munitions to warships whilst underway at sea. Both ships are capable of operating large helicopters for tasks such as anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue.