The Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter reached Kochi on May 4 during a five-month Indo-Pacific deployment. The visit aims to strengthen maritime ties between India and the Netherlands through discussions and joint activities.
The Indian Navy provided a ceremonial welcome as the De Zeven Provinciën-class warship entered the harbour, escorted by a fast interceptor craft and greeted by a naval band.
A Dutch delegation led by Deputy Commander Rob De Wit and Marisa Gerards met Rear Admiral Prakash Gopalan, Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command. Talks covered training, operational engagement and sharing of best practices. The group also laid wreaths at the Southern Naval Command War Memorial to mark the Netherlands National Remembrance Day.
The delegation is scheduled to tour training facilities and Cochin Shipyard Limited to discuss shipbuilding collaboration. On departure the frigate will conduct a Passage Exercise with an Indian Navy ship to improve interoperability.
Rob De Wit earlier attended the IONS Conclave of Chiefs at MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam.
