<p>The Navy plans to train cadets from six foreign countries, including two Saarc nations, in its sprawling new academy in Ezhimala, in Kerala, later this year.<br /><br />“We have sought the approval of the Ministry of External Affairs and hope to start the first batch of the international training programme at Indian Navy Academy – Ezhimala, from December 2014,” said Rear Admiral S N Ghormade, a senior Navy officer in-charge of the training.<br /><br />In the first batch, officers from friendly countries like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Kenya and Tanzania may be trained in the academy, which is located in the Kannur district of Kerala. Incidentally, Sri Lanka and Maldives belong to the Saarc, which found new diplomatic resurgence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited them for his swearing-in ceremony.<br /><br />The academy has the capacity to train 10-15 foreign officers every six months. The capacity would increase after the academy enhances its existing level of accommodating 1,180 officers to 2,500 by 2027.<br /><br />The approval of the MEA is crucial because the naval plan was prepared before the change of political landscape at the Centre, where Modi is trying to establish a link with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, who objected to training Sri Lankan naval officers in India.<br /><br />Last year, Jayalalitha criticised the UPA government for training Sri Lankan naval officers, as well as then Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi’s meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.</p>.<p>As a tradition, many military officers from Sri Lanka receive training at Indian establishments. But the issue has become politically sensitive in the recent past with parties in Tamil Nadu protesting against the practice.<br /><br />On Saturday, as many as 268 cadets, including 30 women cadets, will pass out from the academy to join the Navy and the Coast Guard.<br /><br />Ghormade said the widow of Commander Kuntal Wadhwa, who died in an accident at Mazgaon dock involving an under-construction destroyer, will also undergo training at the INA.<br /><br />In a special gesture, the Navy had allowed her to apply for an officer’s post after the mishap. She has already cleared the Services Selection Board.</p>
<p>The Navy plans to train cadets from six foreign countries, including two Saarc nations, in its sprawling new academy in Ezhimala, in Kerala, later this year.<br /><br />“We have sought the approval of the Ministry of External Affairs and hope to start the first batch of the international training programme at Indian Navy Academy – Ezhimala, from December 2014,” said Rear Admiral S N Ghormade, a senior Navy officer in-charge of the training.<br /><br />In the first batch, officers from friendly countries like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Kenya and Tanzania may be trained in the academy, which is located in the Kannur district of Kerala. Incidentally, Sri Lanka and Maldives belong to the Saarc, which found new diplomatic resurgence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited them for his swearing-in ceremony.<br /><br />The academy has the capacity to train 10-15 foreign officers every six months. The capacity would increase after the academy enhances its existing level of accommodating 1,180 officers to 2,500 by 2027.<br /><br />The approval of the MEA is crucial because the naval plan was prepared before the change of political landscape at the Centre, where Modi is trying to establish a link with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, who objected to training Sri Lankan naval officers in India.<br /><br />Last year, Jayalalitha criticised the UPA government for training Sri Lankan naval officers, as well as then Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi’s meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.</p>.<p>As a tradition, many military officers from Sri Lanka receive training at Indian establishments. But the issue has become politically sensitive in the recent past with parties in Tamil Nadu protesting against the practice.<br /><br />On Saturday, as many as 268 cadets, including 30 women cadets, will pass out from the academy to join the Navy and the Coast Guard.<br /><br />Ghormade said the widow of Commander Kuntal Wadhwa, who died in an accident at Mazgaon dock involving an under-construction destroyer, will also undergo training at the INA.<br /><br />In a special gesture, the Navy had allowed her to apply for an officer’s post after the mishap. She has already cleared the Services Selection Board.</p>