By Ankit Panda
The People’s Liberation Army Navy has accepted India’s invitation to its 2016 International Fleet Review.
China has confirmed that, for the first time ever, it will send People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and representatives to the Indian International Fleet Review. India had extended an invitation to the PLAN in May, which was announced after the Indian naval commanders conference. The fleet review is being hosted by India’s Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam in February 2016. According to a report by The Hindu, though the PLAN’s participation is confirmed, the details of which vessels and personnel will participate are not yet settled.
India’s International Fleet Review will be hosted for the first time by the country’s Eastern Naval Command in 2016 and will include over 60 sea-faring nations and over 100 vessels (over 90 states have been invited). According to a New Indian Express report, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior Indian officials will attend the review and meet senior naval officers, including the chiefs of naval staff, of the participating states. Notably, the fleet review will be a send-off of sorts for India’s aging aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, which is set for decommissioning after 57 years of continuous service, first in the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and then the Indian Navy.
Read the full story at The Diplomat