Kochi, May 06: The arrival of Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS De Ruyter (F804) in Kochi marks a significant step in deepening maritime cooperation between India and the Netherlands, the Ministry of Defence said.
The frigate, part of a five-month Indo-Pacific deployment, was accorded a ceremonial reception upon arrival and is set to participate in joint maritime engagements with the Indian Navy.
The visiting delegation includes Rob De Wit and Marisa Gerards, who held discussions with officials at the Southern Naval Command to enhance bilateral naval cooperation.
As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute at the SNC War Memorial on the Netherlands’ National Remembrance Day, underscoring shared values and respect for military service.
Planned engagements include visits to training establishments, demonstrations of advanced naval simulators, and interactions aimed at sharing best practices. The delegation will also visit Cochin Shipyard Limited to explore shipbuilding collaboration.
On departure, the Dutch vessel will undertake a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with an Indian naval ship, aimed at boosting interoperability and operational synergy between the two navies.
The visit highlights growing strategic alignment and expanding defence ties between India and the Netherlands in the Indo-Pacific region.
