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Cmdr. Devendra Bhatnagar, Commanding Officer of the INS Sukanya (P 50), exchanges caps with Cmdr. Philip Poole, USN, Naval Control and Protection of Shipping Officer, CTF 73, while Capt. Jeff Wagner, USN, looks on.

"This area is important to the United States, as a large volume of trade transits through the Strait every year," said Rear Adm. Jeff Cassias, Commander, Task Force 73. "This is the crossroads of the world, and a number of our ships go through it."

Ships in the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 73 keep the fleet supplied with food, fuel, and spare parts. This Combat Logistics Force stocks the 100 U.S. Navy ships — cruisers, destroyers, frigates, aircraft carriers, and submarines — that cross the Western Pacific every year.

In early 2002, the Indian Navy’s large patrol craft, INS Sharada (P 55), took the lead in monitoring safe transits of U.S. vessels. As noncombatant and merchant ships passed through the area, the INS Sharada followed closely, ensuring their safe passage. "INS Sharada’s performance, as the first coalition warship conducting the [Strait of Malacca] escort mission, was outstanding," said Rear Adm. William D. Sullivan, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command.