About 90 ships and scores of aircraft are expected to participate in the IFR
Representational Image. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Pakistan appears to have turned down an Indian invitation to participate in the naval International Fleet Review (IFR) that will be held from February 4 to 8 next year at Visakhapatnam. The invitation was extended by India through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Navy chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan said there had been “no favourable response so far” and that the Pakistan Navy was “not likely” to participate in the IFR. China was also invited and is expected to send a ship and a delegation to the IFR to which at least 46 Navies from across the world have confirmed participation.
President Pranab Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, will review the IFR on February 6. About 90 ships and scores of aircraft are expected to participate in the IFR. More Navies are expected to confirm participation in due course.
“We had communicated regarding the invites thr-ough our High Commi-ssions and Embassies. As far as Pakistan is concerned, our High Comm-ission in Islamabad has informed us that they have not received a favourable response from them so far,” Admiral Dhowan told reporters, while unveiling the Navy’s plans for the IFR. Pakistan’s apparent refusal to accept India’s invite is one more step in the downward spiral in ties between the two neighbours.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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