The Hindu Business Line : Chilean vessel in Indian waters on peace mission

KOCHI: The Chilean Naval vessel, BE Esmeralda, considered a relic of Augusto Pinochet's repressive regime, sailed into Indian waters here on a peace mission. This is the first visit of the Esmeralda, the world's second largest 'sail ship,' to India.

The ship has touched the Indian waters on a mission of peace. “We are here to spread the message of friendship”, said the Commanding Officer of the vessel, Captain Victor Zanelli Suffo.

The ship is considered a relic of the Chilean dictator Pinochet's repressive regime of the 1970s when it was used allegedly for torturing political opponents. The ship with a 325-member crew, of which 146 are trainees, arrived here after a 21-day voyage from Alexandria in Egypt, as part of its 45,000 km world training cruise.

She will leave for South Africa on September 9. The vessel was ideal for training of cadets as it requires a coordinated effort to operate, he said and hoped that the INS Tarangini, India's sail training vessel will also berth at Chile.

In a rare gesture, Chilean Ambassador Mr Alfonso Silva and Captain Suffo laid a wreath at the war memorial at the Naval base this morning. The ship, built in 1953, carries crew of other friendly navies. – PTI

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