The visit aimed to deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries

As part of its operational deployment in the Pacific Ocean, INS Satpura visited Suva, Fiji from September 1 to September 3, 2022. The visit of the ship was aimed at deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

During the port call, there were high level exchanges between the ship's crew and the Fiji Navy. The crew led by her Commanding Officer also paid homage to martyred soldiers at Fiji’s National War Memorial, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

As part of the community outreach programme, planting of a thousand mangrove saplings was undertaken by the ship’s crew in coordination with Fiji’s forestry department. A medical camp was also conducted by the ship’s medical team at Albert Stadium, which saw large participation from the local populace.

The ship was open to visitors during which a large number of locals visited the ship furthering the people-to-people connect between the two nations. Additionally, a special yoga class for locals and Fiji Navy officers was held on the ship's Help deck.

The majestic Satpura mountain range in central India is where the name "INS Satpura" comes from. The ship was built at Mumbai's Mazagaon Docks Ltd. and launched on August 20, 2011.

"A frontline warship of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, INS Satpura is currently on one of the longest deployments by the Indian Navy in the 75th year of India’s Independence," the Ministry of Defence said.

India and Fiji have warm and friendly ties based on mutual trust and respect. As 38% of Fiji's population is of Indian descent, there are strong cultural ties and people-to-people relations between the two nations.