'Trident of naval power': Indian Navy's showcase of strength amid tensions with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy on Saturday shared a picture of what it described as the "trident of Naval power" - a surface ship, a submarine and a helicopter.

"The trident of Naval Power - Above, below and across the waves," the navy's media and public information wing captioned the post.


The photo shows the destroyer INS Kolkata, the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and a Scorpene-class submarine.

The picture, which has gone viral, is likely a file image as the Dhruv ALH is presently grounded in the Indian Navy. However, the government has cleared the Indian Army and Air Force variants of the ALH, following a detailed probe into the recent safety concerns.

The navy's post comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. Citing "cross-border linkages" to the attack, India has taken several diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari, revoking visas of Pakistani nationals, and downgrading of diplomatic ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly vowed that the "perpetrators and conspirators" would face the "harshest response."

Amid this, the Indian Navy has been conducting extensive drills in the Arabian Sea, with naval warships placed on high alert.

"Warships are on high alert, with multiple anti-ship and anti-aircraft firings executed recently to demonstrate combat readiness and deter potential threats in the region," defence sources earlier told news agency ANI.