VLADIVOSTOK. April 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Pacific Fleet sent its warships to the Indian Ocean on Sunday morning for joint Russian- Indian naval maneuvers, Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Fyodorov told journalists in Vladivostok.
"By agreement between the Russian and Indian defense ministers, Indian-Russian naval exercises will be held in the Indian Ocean in May. The Pacific Fleet's group comprises the large anti-submarine ships Marshal Shaposhnikov under Colonel Andrei Nelidin's command and Admiral Panteleyev under Colonel Nikolai Ozirny's command, and the tanker Vladimir Kolechitsky under Alexander Denisov's command," Fyodorov said.
"The upcoming naval exercises are not connected with the current situation in Iraq and are part of a long-established dialogue and good relations between the Russian and Indian navies," he said, adding that the games will "further strengthen trust between Russia and India."
Fyodorov announced that the journey will last for about 25 days. No foreign ports will be visited.
"Further actions will depend on the circumstances. No decision has been made so far on what Indian ships will be involved in the maneuvers," the Russian admiral said.