BANGLADESH

    After the 1971 Indo Pakistan war, the erstwhile East Pakistan became an independant state called Bangladesh. Bangladesh sought the assistance of the Indian Navy to help start the Bangladesh Navy. In April 1973 and July 1974, Seaward Defence Boats INS AKSHAY and AJAY were transferred to the Bangladesh Navy, who renamed them as BNS PADMA and SURMA respectively.

MAURITIUS

    In the early 1970s, the Government of Mauritius was in need of a vessel which could help protect maritime and fishing rights, help in air/sea rescue, rescue fishermen in distress and check smuggling and other illegal traffic. The Government of India offered to gift the Seaward Defence Boat INS AMAR. The Government of Mauritius accepted the offer. Mauritian officers and sailors were trained in India. AMAR was towed to Mauritius by the Training Squadron and handed over in March 74 to become MNS AMAR to start with and later CGS AMAR.

    In 1989, the Mauritius Coast Guard was formed. A marine training establishment was set up and a Dornier surveillance aircraft was acquired from India.

In the early 1990's, the Mauritius Coast Guard expanded. It acquired another Seaward Defence Boat from India and its second Coast Guard aircraft from Britain.

Indian Naval Officers have helped to set up the Mauritian Coast Guard, to man and maintain its vessels, to train Coast Guard personnel to operate the Dornier aircraft, to train Mauritian personnel for the mercantile marine and to render technical assistance whenever requested.

UTILISATION OF PAKISTAN MERCHANT SHIPS SEIZED DURING THE 1971 WAR

Four Pakistani merchant ships were seized - PASNI (GRT 1203) ANWAR BAKSH (GRT 7235), BAQIR (GRT 9326) and MADHUMATI (GRT 3311).

As per international law and practice, these vessels were treated as the property of the Government of India. They were utilised as follows:

(a) On 17 Apr 72, BAQIR was renamed MV HOOGHLY and manned by the Shipping Corporation of India for transporting troops and stores from Bangladesh to India. Thereafter, she transported the Army Garrison to Port Blair. Later in 1972, she was commissioned as INS ADHAR and used for the transportation of stores and material between the mainland and the A&N Islands and between the naval ports. In January 74, ADHAR was chartered to the Mogul Line for four years at Rs 75000 per month, renamed as LOK ADHAR and used for coastal service. On completion of the charter periods, LOK ADHAR was disposed of by the Navy.

(b) In June 72, Government decided that ANWAR BAKSH, MADHUMATI and PASNI would be handed over to the SCI who would run these ships and pay the Navy an agreed amount. Later, as a gesture of goodwill, these three ships were handed over to Bangladesh-MADHUMATI and PASNI in April 73 and ANWAR BAKSH in November 74.