New Delhi: India has dispatched its largest and most potent warship, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to Maldives to reaffirm its abiding commitment to be the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. The warship accompanied by destroyer INS Mysore and tanker INS Deepak is scheduled to reach Male tomorrow. INS Vikramaditya made its first ever foreign port call at Colombo last Month where President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena visited the warship. It was the first Head of State visit to Indian Navy’s biggest warship and aircraft carrier.
The goodwill visit of INS Vikramaditya to Male is as part of the overall policy to shape a favourable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region with both presence and engagement. It is also a manifestation of the close maritime cooperation and mutual trust between India and Maldives.
In December 2014 INS Deepak had visited the Maldives to provide drinking water during the Male water crisis.