Iran, Russia and China launch joint naval exercises in Indian Ocean
On February 16, as NATO prepared its summit to prosecute “strategic rivalry” with Russia and China, Iranian and Russian warships launched ongoing naval drills in strategic waters of the Indian Ocean, south of Iran and the oil-rich Persian Gulf. They are to soon be joined by Chinese warships which were reportedly delayed by the Chinese New Year festival.
The drills highlight the global war tensions that are at explosive levels as the Biden administration takes office. These are the second such exercises, continuing a format inaugurated by joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese “Maritime Security Belt” naval drills held in December 2019. Shortly afterwards, Washington ordered the brazen assassination of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was murdered in a US drone strike at the Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020.
Reports of Indian Navy part of Iran-Russia maritime drill false
By IANS |
Published on
Thu, Feb 18 2021 11:21 IST |
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Navy s combat-readiness exercise Tropex-21 underway in IOR. Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, Feb 18 : Indian Navy did not participate in the two-day maritime exercise of Iran and Russia in the Indian Ocean Region, said the Indian Navy on Thursday. The naval exercise of Iran and Russia known as Iran-Russia Maritime Security Belt 2021 started on February 16. Reports that Indian Navy is participating in the drill are incorrect. We never joined the exercise, the Indian Navy said.
Two days ago in Tehran, Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, the spokesperson of the drill, had made an announcement that the Indian Navy had also requested and joined the exercise with a select group of vessels.
India Joins Iran-Russia Naval Drill, China To Follow
First major naval drill since 2019 hosted by Iran with participation of regional countries. The Indian navy has joined a naval drill that began Tuesday between Iran and Russia in the North Indian Ocean while China is also expected to soon take part.
Iran s Navy Chief Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi made the announcement and hailed India as one of the powerful naval forces in the region.
Khanzadi said China, which took part in a joint naval exercise with Iran and Russia in December 2019, will join the maneuvers after Chinese New Year s celebrations.
He said the objective of the exercise is to ensure collective security in the region and in the northern Indian Ocean.
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