Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, visited the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam from March 21-23. During his visit, he engaged in various activities, including reviewing naval operations at sea and interacting with officers and sailors. He also inaugurated a new accommodation block for Defence Security Corps personnel and awarded unit citations to INS Sumitra for anti-piracy operations. The visit included meetings with Defence Civilian personnel, AGMs of NGIF/INBA and the Navy Foundation, and discussions with veterans to address their concerns.
Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, received a Guard of Honour in Delhi and met with Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar. The two naval leaders exchanged greetings, highlighting the cordial relations between India and New Zealand, established in 1952. Admiral Proctor also paid respects at the National War Memorial. New Zealand has identified India as a priority country for trade, aiming to address trade barriers and stimulate demand. Bilateral trade stood at USD 1 billion in 2022-23, with efforts to enhance business dialogue and remove trade obstacles.
Admiral R Hari Kumar commended Indian industry for advancing Atma Nirbharta in defence sector by 2047 at the inauguration of Nibe Defence and Aerospace Limited in Pune.
The crest of Surat depicts the famous lighthouse at Hazira (Surat), located at the southern entrance of the Gulf of Khambhat. - Indian Navy s Under-Construction Guided Missile Destroyer Surat Unveiled