Indian Navy's Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet pays homage at Kranji War Memorial Singapore
Singapore, July 3
In a solemn ceremony, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Alok Ananda along with the Commanding Officers of visiting Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet ships paid homage at the Kranji War Memorial on Friday.
In a post on X, Indian High Commission in Singapore said, "Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Ships visiting Singapore. Bridges of Friendship. In a solemn ceremony, FOCEF RAdm Alok Ananda along with the Commanding Officers of visiting Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet ships paid homage at the Kranji War Memorial, Singapore honouring the fallen soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice defending shared values of freedom and peace. They also interacted with Colonel Ang Chun Hou Bertram, Fleet Commander, Republic of Singapore Navy. Their discussion focused on further strengthening maritime defence partnership between Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy."
Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri, Shakti and Kavaratti, led by Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, arrived at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore as part of their operational deployment to South East Asia.
Indian High Commission in Singapore said the visit reflects India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the region.
In a post on X, it said, "Bridges of Friendship: Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti, led by RAdm Alok Ananda, FOCEF arrived at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore as part of their operational deployment to South East Asia. As we celebrate 2026 as ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, the visit reflects India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the region in line with its Act East Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR."
Earlier on July 1, Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri, Shakti and Kavaratti of the Eastern Fleet participated in PASSEX- an ad-hoc joint naval drill conducted by allied or friendly navies when their paths cross at sea- with HTMS Chao Phraya of the Royal Thai Navy following their visit to Sattahip.
In a post on X, the Indian Navy said, "Indian Naval Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti of the Eastern Fleet undertook PASSEX with HTMS Chao Phraya of the Royal Thai Navy following their visit to Sattahip, Thailand. The exercise provided an opportunity to enhance interoperability between the two Navies, reaffirming their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability."
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is excellent diplomacy in action. The PASSEX with Thailand and now these port calls strengthen our navy's interoperability. India is emerging as a reliable maritime security partner in the Indo-Pacific. Act East Policy working well!
Nice gesture but we need to ensure that these visits translate into tangible benefits like joint patrols and tech sharing. The Kranji memorial visit is symbolic but substance matters more. Hope the Navy follows up with concrete exercises.
As an Indian diaspora member in Singapore, I was thrilled to see our naval ships at Changi Naval Base. The Kranji War Memorial ceremony was moving—many Indian and Commonwealth soldiers are buried there. This connection to history is vital for younger generations.
The names of the ships reflect our heritage—Udaygiri (from Odisha), Shakti (strength), and Kavaratti (Lakshadweep island). Love how the Navy connects geography and history! Also important that India is building bridges with ASEAN, not just China.
Good to see naval diplomacy in action. But I hope our politicians also visit places like this to understand the sacrifices made in WWII. Many Indians fought for freedom alongside allies. Kudos to the Navy for keeping that memory alive!
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