New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS): Commander of the Tanzanian Navy Rear Admiral R.M. Makanzo on Monday received four indigenous Indian ships that began a four-day port of call to the African nation starting with Dar-es-Salaam, a senior Indian Navy official told IANS here.

The four-day port of call to Tanzania on the eastern coast of Africa is part of Indian Navy's overseas deployment programme aimed at building "bridges of friendship" with friendly nations.

The ships - Tir, Sujata, Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi - which belong to Indian Navy's First Training Squadron will be deployed at the Zanzibar port from October 15-17 after spending a day at Dar-es-Salaam.

Senior officer of the First Training Squadron Captain Varun Singh led the four ships to Tanzania after making a three-day port of call at Mombasa in Kenya.

During the current port of call, the Senior Officer of First Training Squadron will call on various dignitaries and government officials of Tanzania and the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces.

"Professional interactions are planned with the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces towards enhancing co-operation. In addition, social engagements, sports events and exchange of best practices will be conducted between the two navies," an Indian Navy statement said.

The First Training Squadron under the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command based at Kochi imparts training to officer cadets of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard as well as from friendly foreign countries. The training includes seamanship, navigation, ship-handling, boat work and engineering, the statement added.