Indian ship joins Singapore’s Independence Day fest

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kulish, a guided missile corvette, marked its presence in Singapore by joining the country’s 77th Independence Day festivities.
Currently on a four-day tour to engage in the multinational SEACAT 2023 exercise, the crew and officers of the INS Kulish celebrated at the High Commission of India in Singapore. Commanding Officer Ashish Delsaria honoured the occasion by presenting a memento to Acting High Commissioner Pooja Madan Tulli, symbolising the ship’s visit to the Lion City.
A standout attraction at the celebration was the Naval Jazz band. Their rendition of patriotic songs resonated deeply, captivating over 1,000 Indian community attendees.
Based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command’s Port Blair, INS Kulish’s visit runs from August 14 to 18. Its primary mission is to contribute to the Harbour Phase of SEACAT 2023, an initiative that champions greater interoperability and collective action on maritime security challenges. This exercise, held from August 14 to 17, will then transition to the sea phase until August 25.
Further enhancing diplomatic ties, the ship is set to host a reception for prominent officials from Singapore’s Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries, along with notable members of the Indian diaspora.
SEACAT aims to amplify Maritime Domain Awareness. It delves into geopolitical concerns, illicit actions, contingencies, and seeks to synchronise tactics and strategies. Last August, notable participants in SEACAT included the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, the Republic of Singapore Navy, and the Information Fusion Centre, as per media sources.