Embassy of India

Doha

 Press Release 

 High Level Participation from Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard at DIMDEX 2016

In the framework of the deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted and growing cooperation between India and the State of Qatar, Government of India has deputed a high level delegation to participate at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2016) scheduled to be held from 29-31 March 2016. The delegation is led by Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy and includes Inspector General  S K Goyal PTM, TM, Deputy Director General (Materiel and Maintenance), Indian Coast Guard and other senior officials.   

Government of India has also deputed INS Beas, an indigenously designed and built Brahmaputra Class Guided Missile Frigate of the Indian Navy, to visit Doha Port during DIMDEX 2016. The ship, built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd Kolkata, is 126 mtrs in length, has a maximum width of 14.5 mtrs and displaces over 3600 tonnes. The ship is capable of doing speeds in excess of 30 knots (about 55 kmph) and is designed for extended ‘Blue Water’ naval operations. INS Beas has a compliment of 30 officers and 312 other personnel under the Command of Captain Deepak Bhatia. The ship is based at Mumbai, under the administrative and operational control of the Western Naval Command at Mumbai. 

        The visit of INS Beas would be the third visit by Indian Naval Ships to Qatar in the last three years. INS Aditya & INS Tabar and INS Delhi & INS Trishul had sailed on friendly voyages to Doha Port in September 2013 and September 2015, respectively.  Three ships of the Indian Coast Guard have also visited Doha in the last three years – ICGS Samudra Prahari in February, 2013, ICGS Vijit in December, 2014 and ICGS Sankalp in January, 2016. 

        The visit of the high-level delegation and INS Beas for DIMDEX 2016 will further strengthen the historic friendship between India and Qatar, and defence cooperation between the two countries.

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