Indian ambassador visited Sevmash shipyard

(Rusnavy) : Sevmash shipyard was recently visited by Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra. It was his first visit to Severodvinsk since appointment to that post in May 2011.

Having inspected the course of works on aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, Ajai Malhotra said overhaul and upgrading of the ship were on schedule. He paid particular attention to high quality of works; that was also reported to the ambassador by Indian colleagues working in Severodvinsk.

Mr. Malhotra met with the shipyard's Director General Andrei Diachkov, Chief Engineer Alexei Alsufiev, director general's assistants Mikhail Budnichenko, Sergei Novoselov, and Andrei Monogarov. Mikhail Budnichenko presented a model of Project 971 submarine to the ambassador for a keepsake. Mr. Malhotra thanked administration of Severodvinsk, Sevmash and Zvezdochka shipyards for a warm welcome.

There was another important activity in the visit program – signing of cooperation memorandum between municipal formation Severodvinsk and Indian servicemen with their families living in the town. The Russian party was represented by Severodvinsk Mayor Mikhail Gmyrin, the Indian one – by observation group director Capt Rajaram Svaminatan. The memorandum implies development of cooperation in cultural, sport, and social areas. In addition, Mr. Malhotra said India would start to find a twin town for Severodvinsk; most probably, that would be a town with naval history and traditions.