Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a warm greeting to Indian Navy personnel aboard Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar as it participated in Russia’s Navy Day festivities, according to Russia-based RT.
Putin presided over the Main Naval Parade held on the Neva River in St. Petersburg, where he congratulated Russian Navy sailors, as reported by TASS. The tradition of the Main Naval Parade, established in 2017, honors the Navy’s historic victories and its significant role in national defense. This year’s parade featured 20 surface ships and gunboats, four sailing vessels, and a submarine, as detailed by TASS.
The parade showcased a variety of Russian combat vessels, including the Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvette Odintsovo, the Project 20380 missile corvette Boiky, the Project 12700 coastal minesweeper Alexander Obukhov, and several missile corvettes and submarines such as the Project 21631 corvettes Grad, Naro-Fominsk, Grad Sviyazhsk, and Serpukhov, the Project 23550 icebreaking patrol ship Ivan Papanin, and the Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarine Mozhaisk.
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Foreign ships participating in the parade included INS Tabar from the Indian Navy, the Algerian Navy’s training ship Soummam, and the Chinese guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo. The event concluded with nearly 2,500 troops marching in foot columns on Senate Square.
INS Tabar arrived in St. Petersburg earlier in the day to join the Navy Day celebrations. An Indian Navy spokesperson emphasized that INS Tabar’s visit underscores the deepening cooperation between the two nations, enhancing naval interoperability and aligning with India’s policy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
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On X, the Indian Navy’s post highlighted, “#INSTabar arrived at St. Petersburg, Russia, for a warm welcome ceremony by the #RuFN. The visit includes participation in the 328th #RussianNavyDay celebration, professional interactions, and a PASSEX between the navies. This visit strengthens #maritime cooperation, underpinned by #interoperability, and aligns with GoI’s policy of #VasudhaivaKutumbakam.”
INS Tabar, a stealth frigate built in Russia for the Indian Navy, is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. As one of the Indian Navy’s earliest stealth frigates, it is part of the Western Fleet based in Mumbai under the Western Naval Command, according to a Ministry of Defence press release.
