Indian Navy Ship (INS) Tabar arrived, on Friday, in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria for a three-day goodwill visit. The ship was received by Udayan Kumar, Indian Defence Attache to Egypt, along with Egyptian Navy personnel. The visit is part of the ship's ongoing deployment to several countries in Africa and Europe. India and Egypt have enjoyed warm and strong bilateral relations that include long standing ties between the two Navies. The current goodwill visit by INS Tabar aims to strengthen the relations between the two sides and also explore newer avenues of bolstering relationships through operational engagements. INS Tabar has a complement of over 300 personnel and is one of the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy. Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Egypt, was accorded a warm welcome on-board and thereafter a tour of the warship was conducted wherein he was familiarised with its lethal operational capabilities and roles by Captain Mahesh Mangipudi. Post the tour, the Ambassador in his address complimented the ship's crew for their distinguished & flawless professional standards. After receiving Tabar's crest from the Captain, the Ambassador presented a crystal 'Egyptian Pharaonic Chariot' for the ships 'Wardroom'. A social evening with restricted attendance was hosted by Tabar to further interaction and camaraderie between the two Navies. Select Defence Attaches and eminent personalities from both Egyptian military and civilians were also present on the occasion. Rear Admiral Aymen Eldaly, Chief of Alexandria Naval Base, was the chief guest for the August occasion. During the three-day stay at Alexandria port, the ship's crew undertook numerous professional interactions and exchange visits with the Egyptian Navy. Later, upon Tabar's departure from Alexandria, the two Navies undertook an advanced maritime partnership exercise at sea. These operational engagements aim to strengthen combat procedures as also to widen the scope of interoperability that will aid combined operations against common maritime threats.
