Port Blair, Feb 01:The J-24 sail boat led a host of foreign Naval ships into Port Blair as they arrived on 01 Feb 12 for the enthusiastically awaited biennial professional and cultural conglomeration of Navies of the region – Milan 2012.
The arrival of nine foreign Naval ships and delegates from the participating countries for Milan 2012 at Port Blair from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand during the morning hours of 01 Feb to participate in the biennial mega event marked the beginning of Milan 2012. The ships were given the traditional welcome with military bands playing martial tunes at the Naval Wharf. In addition, school children from local schools waving flags added to the gaiety and colour as the foreign warships came alongside.
On arrival, the Commanding Officers of the warships and the delegates were briefed about the itinerary of Milan 2012 and the alluring Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The delegation of Indonesia headed by Commodore Achmad Taufiqoerachman, Commodore KT Zaman of Bangladesh, Commodore Jaime S Bernardino of Philippines and Commodore MS D’silva of Sri Lanka called on Lt Gen NC Marwah, PVSM, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The delegations along with the Commanding Officers of the visiting ships also called on Rear Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Staff, Andaman & Nicobar Command and Commodore BC Sethi, the Naval Component Commander. The officers and men of the foreign navies visited places of historical importance in and around Port Blair.
