INS Arihant India's Nuclear Attack Sub(SSBN) undergoing Sea Trials in the Bay of Bengal
by Pranav Kulkarni
Pakistan has replied unfavourably to India’s invitation to attend the International Fleet Review (IFR) next year
Dhowan said that the event is being organised along the eastern seaboard in line with India’s Look East/ Act East policy.
China has confirmed its participation in the event along with 45 other countries. Pakistan’s response was communicated to India via the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
“We had communicated (to countries) regarding the invites through our High Commissions and Embassies. As far as Pakistan is concerned, our High Commission in Islamabad has informed us that they have not received favourable response from them,” Dhowan said. IFR 2016, the second such event after 2001, will witness participation from friendly navies across the globe. Forty-six of 87 countries which have been sent invites have confirmed their participation. All major neighbours including China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka have confirmed their participation in the event slated for February.
“We will have all our major neighbours and most of them participating…there are around 17 countries. As far as the participation of China is concerned…from the information available from our embassy, the PLA Navy is likely to participate with a ship as well as the delegation,” Dhowan said. IFR will take place in Visakhapatnam between February 4 and 8 and will be attended by President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. among others.
Dhowan said that the event is being organised along the eastern seaboard in line with India’s Look East/ Act East policy.
Commenting on Indian Air Force’s talks with the Defence Ministry regarding combat roles for women, Dhowan said the Navy is considering a role for women in their reconnaissance aircraft. “A proposal is still under consideration to see how women pilots can be allowed in our maritime reconnaissance aircraft,” he said.