Tongan soldiers were given two sets of uniforms as a gift by the Indian Ambassador to Tonga, HE Dr Prbhakara in a handing over ceremony at the Tonga Defence Services Headquarter at Sene yesterday.

The Ambassador, who is based in Suva, Fiji, said that the sets of military uniforms, comprising of shirts, trousers, beret, belt and socks, were donated by the Indian Armed Forces and there were enough for all 615 soldiers in the TDS. They were supplied in response to a discussion between the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu and the then Vice Chief of the Indian Army who is now the Chief of the Indian Army, General Deepak Kapoor during the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference in Sydney last August.

"It shows our commitment and resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation," he said.

Support

Tonga's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Hon. Tu'a Taumoepeau Tupou, thanked the Indian Armed Forces in particular Capt Jatinder Singh, the Indian Defence Adviser to Tonga, who was present at the ceremony, for his effort in making the donation a reality.

"We are very grateful to the Indian Armed Forces for their continued support and assistance and overall development of TDS. These uniforms will help minimise the expenses to be spent in procuring uniforms."

Tu'a said that in the past officers and cadets from the Tongan Army and Navy were enrolled at the National Defence Academy at Puna, India.

"We have witnessed the benefit the Indian Armed Forces has provided for TDS in terms of education and training, and today we witness their assistance extended to logistic support by providing these military uniforms."

The Minister said that a Tonga-India Defence agreement was formulated for the first time in 1972 when the late Prince Tu'ipelehake attended the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun.