October 8, 2024
NATO member Italy conducted a “historic” naval activity with India last week as both nations deployed their aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean for a maiden joint exercise.
The Indian navy announced on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday that it held a six-day long maritime engagement with its Italian counterpart that began on October 1, featuring aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya from India and ITS Cavour from Italy, as well as two other warships.
The Cavour arrived at Goa on the southwestern coast of India on October 1, according to Newsweek‘s weekly update on aircraft carrier movements in the Indo-Pacific region. It was on its Indo-Pacific deployment and was underway in the South China Sea last month.
The Cavour‘s visit to India demonstrated Italy’s commitment to ensuring the security of international spaces and the freedom of navigation, the Italian embassy in New Delhi said. “Defense is top in the bilateral collaboration agenda of Italy and India,” it added.
The dual-carrier exercise came as India’s competitor, China, enhanced its presence in the Indian Ocean. New Delhi views the ocean, which is a route between Europe and Asia, as being within its sphere of influence and considers itself a security provider for its neighbors.
Story Continues
Bugs Marlowe