Indian Naval Chief begins five-day visit to Colombo today
June 27, 2010 12:32 pm
Chief of the Naval Staff Nirmal Verma is arriving here on Sunday on a five-day visit for exchange of views with his Sri Lankan counterpart, and to travel to the Eastern and Northern Provinces.
Admiral Verma is the senior-most Indian military official to visit the island nation in the last five years.
He will be the chief guest at the passing out parade of the Sri Lanka Naval Academy in Trincomalee. The Naval chief is scheduled to travel to the Kankesanthurai harbour in Jaffna peninsula. India is involved in the renovation of the harbour.
In the course of his stay here, Admiral Verma would lay a wreath at the memorial for the Indian Peace Keeping Force.
Admiral Nirmal Verma assumed command of the Indian Navy on 31 Aug 2009, as the 20th CNS and the 18th Indian to take over this office.
Admiral Nirmal Verma is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His nearly four decades of experience spans across various afloat and ashore appointments. His sea tenures include Commands of INS Udaygiri, a Leander Class Frigate; INS Ranvir, a Kashin Class Destroyer; and the Aircraft Carrier, INS Viraat. In assignments that shape future leadership of the Indian Navy, he has commanded the Indian Naval Academy at Goa, been Head of Naval Training Team at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India, and Senior Directing Staff (Navy) at the National Defence College, New Delhi. – (The Hindu/ Admiral Verma’s details from Indian Navy website)