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‘Indonesia, India taking steps to thwart littoral threats’

Staff Reporter

Ties between the two countries emerge stronger, says Andi M. Ghalib

Indonesian Navy’s corvette calls at Kochi
Navy’s role to keep Somali pirates at bay lauded

KOCHI: The navies of Indonesia and India are initiating steps to thwart littoral threats arising off the coast of the two countries, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia in India Lt. Gen (retd.) Andi M. Ghalib said.

He was addressing journalists on board the Indonesian Navy’s freshly-acquired corvette KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda that called at Kochi on Friday. The ship is the third such vessel that was built by the Dutch for the Indonesian Navy and is on its maiden voyage from the Netherlands to Indonesia. It can hunt submarines, aircraft and also counter surface threats.

Lt. Gen. said that the ties between Indonesia and India emerged stronger after they signed a new strategic partnership in 2005. “This was later ratified to include defence cooperation. Four of our Navy officers are being trained at India’s Southern Naval Command, while some Indian defence personnel are trained at our establishments. Indonesia is a regular participant at the MILAN programme hosted by Indian Navy in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”

He lauded the proactive role being played by the Indian Navy to keep Somali pirates at bay. “It also rushed help to our Aceh region when the tsunami struck.”

He referred to the two countries as ‘cultural superpowers’ and said that Indonesians remain rooted in their culture, though they have adapted themselves to modern technology. On the explosions that rocked Bali some years ago, he said that the government was swift to clamp down on extremists and three of the accused have been exterminated. “We have achieved major success in the war against terror.”

The warship’s Commanding Officer, Cdr. Arianto C. Wibowo spoke of the threat both the countries are facing from pirates, illegal fishing and other activities. “Apart from Malacca Strait, we have to ensure the safety of a vast area of the seas.”

Asked whether Indonesia planned to acquire an aircraft carrier for overseas operations, the Indonesian Defence Attache in India Colonel (Navy) Nugroho Mujianto said that such huge vessels were primarily used for offensive operations far away from a country’s coast. “Indonesia is focused on defensive capabilities.” The acting Consul General of the Indonesian Consulate in Mumbai Dicky Fabrian was present.

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