INS Tabar reaches Sweden’s Port Stockholm
INS Tabar reached Port Stockholm on 30 July 2021 as part of the ongoing overseas deployment. This is the first visit of an Indian Navy ship to Stockholm in nearly two decades. The ship was received in Sweden by Brigadier General Peder Ohlsson, Deputy Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy, and Group Captain Pankaj Mittal, Indian Defense Attache (DA). Subsequently, the Deputy Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy visited the ship and then a Guard of Honor was presented on the ship. During his visit to the Indian Naval Ship, he was briefed about the major features and procedures of the ship. During a warm welcome, he said Tabar’s visit to Stockholm would further strengthen the long standing ties between the Indian Navy and the Royal Swedish Navy. The Commanding Officer (CO) Captain Mahesh Mangipudi presented him with the emblem of the ship on completion of the voyage.
The Commanding Officer of INS Tabar, accompanied by Defense Attache, called on the Ambassador of India to Sweden and Latvia, Atmaya Lal, at the Indian Embassy in Stockholm. The Commanding Officer briefed the Ambassador about the current deployment of the ship and presented him with the regalia of the ship. The Indian Ambassador expressed happiness for the role played by the Indian Navy in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests, diplomacy through port visits and HADR functions, if required, during his visit by the ship on 31 July 2021.
The CO also met Colonel Thomas Carlsen, Commandant of Stockholm at the Royal Palace. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Royal Guard with a Guard of Honour. The Commandant and the CO discussed the current deployment and other issues of mutual interest.
A reception for a limited number of guests was conducted by INS Tabar on 30 July 2021 following all COVID protocols. Major General Jonas Wikmann, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces, was the chief guest of the ceremony. He appreciated the visit of the Indian Naval Ship to Stockholm and said that the two navies have great potential to be partners in addressing common maritime concerns.
