Indian Navy’s interaction with the Royal Navy of New Zealand has been limited in the past. However, a new chapter is well underway now, strengthened further by the visit of RAdm David Proctor, Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy, currently in India from 19 – 27 Feb 24.
RAdm David Proctor interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy at New Delhi on 20 February 2024. He was welcomed with the customary Guard of Honour on the South Block Lawns.
During the interaction, the two Chiefs discussed avenues to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, including increased operational engagements, training exchanges and information sharing. RAdm David Proctor is scheduled to participate in Indian Navy’s Flagship Exercise MILAN 24 at Visakhapatnam and also undertake high level engagements at Western Naval Command.
The growth in maritime cooperation between IN and RNZN has been witnessed since the CNS visited New Zealand in October 2022. The visit marked conclusion of Technical Arrangement on White Shipping Information Exchange.
Warships from both the Navies have been making regular port calls at each other’s ports, last being port calls by INS Kolkata and INS Sahyadri at Auckland and Wellington in September 2023. IN ships also conducted PASSEX with RNZN and RNZAF in the Tasman Sea post Departure.
Brig SK Chatterji (Retd)
