From Nigeria to Kenya, Indian Navy fearlessly protects coasts of Africa
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash’s joint maritime exercise with the patrol ships of the Nigerian Navy in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) earlier this week marked a new level of strategic convergence between both the nations on the crucial west coast of Africa. The first joint operational deployment by India and Nigeria in support of anti-piracy operations in the GoG witnessed INS Tarkash, currently on operational deployment in the region, carry out exercises with Nigerian Navy’s NNS Kano, Osun, Sokoto and Nguru. INS Tarkash’s third visit to Lagos since 2017 not only strengthens bilateral naval ties but also furthers the Indian Navy’s operational philosophy of Mission Based Deployments under which ships are regularly deployed in maritime areas of interest to India to ensure that the national interests are protected. Nigeria remains a country of immense significance for India with both countries having enjoyed robust ties. India is also the largest importer of Nigerian petroleum products. India,