Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
New Delhi:
India’s first homegrown aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, enjoyed another first today – a visit aboard a foreign prime minister.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is visiting India, received a guard of honor aboard the carrier today.
“I am honored to be here today at the newly commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to putting India at the center of Australia’s approach to the Indo -Pacific and beyond,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
“…What takes defense relations to a new level is the determination and foresight of those who see the relationship not only for what it is, but for what it could be. Prime Minister Modi is one such person,” said he.
India and Australia are close strategic partners. In August this year, Australia will hold the Malabar Naval Exercise with India, Japan and the US. India will participate in Australia’s Talisman Saber exercise for the first time.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart watched the fourth Test between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for half an hour.
INS Vikrant was commissioned into the Navy last September. The 45,000-ton warship was built at a cost of ₹20,000 crore. With a length of 262 meters and a beam of 62 meters, the INS Vikrant is the largest warship built in India. It can carry 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters. The warship can accommodate a crew of nearly 1,600.
