Indian warships visit SA

Two Indian warships are expected to arrive at the Durban Port passenger terminal, the Indian Navy said on Wednesday.

The Delhi and the Deepak would visit Durban on a goodwill mission prior to participating in Exercise IBSAMAR 111, said the Indian high commissioner's office in a statement.

"IBSAMAR 111 is a maritime exercise which involves navies from India, Brazil and South Africa," said spokesman Captain Prashant Chowdhary.

It is held in South Africa every two years and was expected to begin in October.

Chowdhary said the early visit was aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.

The ships were expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon. They would be open for visitors on Friday between 2 and 5pm.

Visitors would have the opportunity to interact with the ships' crews.