India has gifted critical aircraft spares to Mauritius to assist it in keeping its coast guard air assets operational so that its vast maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean remains patrolled against pirates and poachers.
The gift, which includes three new engines and critical aircraft spares, was handed over to Mauritius Foreign Affairs Minister Arvin Boolell by Indian High Commissioner to Port Louis T P Seetharam at an event on Friday evening, an Indian Navy release said here on Saturday.
Indian Navy warship, INS Sukanya, had carried the spares to Port Louis and the handing over ceremony took place aboard the Indian warship. “The consignment of spares will assist National Coast Guard (NCG) of Mauritius in keeping their vital air assets operational to patrol their expansive maritime EEZ against piracy and poaching as well as provide Search and Rescue,” the release said.
Speaking on the occasion, Boollel thanked India for the gesture and reiterated the long-standing cooperation between the two  countries.
INS Sukanya, which is commanded by Commander Dushyant Purohit, will remain in Port Louis on deployment to undertake Mauritius EEZ surveillance and joint patrols, along with NCG Mauritian ships.
During a visit to Mauritius in February this year, Indian Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi had handed over an inshore hydrographic survey vessel to the island nation.
Via: http://newindianexpress.com/
