An Indian Navy flotilla has called at the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, as the two countries ramp up friendly maritime relations.
The fleet, comprising INS Trikand (F51) and INS Ganga (F22) frigates, arrived in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, on Tuesday for a four-day stay, Press TV reported.
During their stay in Iran, the Indian naval personnel on board the warships are scheduled to hold joint exercises with Iran's Navy, hold talks with Iranian naval commanders and local officials and visit historical and cultural sites of Hormozgan.
Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the Indian flotilla on Tuesday, the commander of Iran's First Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Amir Hossein Azad, said the presence of naval units from different countries, particularly regional states, in Iran conveys the message that sustainable peace and security would be possible only through cooperation with all regional states.
He added that the presence of extra-regional forces is not aimed at serving the interests of countries in the region.
"Interaction among regional countries will have a positive effect on increasing the level of political, economic and military relations that will help [boost] maritime security and peace," he said.
Rear Admiral Azad noted that it is the second time Indian warships have berthed in Iran over the past year.
In August 2015, an Indian navy fleet, comprising the INS Beas (F37) and INS Betwa (F39) frigates, docked at Bandar Abbas for a four-day stay.
In late January, Iranian Navy's destroyer Alvand set sail to India to participate in joint maneuvers with several other navies.
Alvand participated in the naval drills along with other destroyers near Visakhapatnam Port in India. India had organized the drills on the occasion of its national day.
In recent years, Iran has made remarkable achievements in its defense sector and conducted numerous military drills.
Iran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military strength poses no threat to other states, insisting that the country's defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.
