Singapore’s Changi Naval Base welcomed the Indian Navy’s first-ever Training Squadron on January 15, signaling a new chapter in bilateral maritime engagement. The flotilla includes INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarthi, undertaking an ambitious long-distance training mission in Southeast Asia’s waters.
This port call is particularly timely, coinciding with preparations for the 2026 ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year. Joint initiatives between the Indian and Singaporean navies focus on capacity building, maritime safety, and collaborative exercises. Trainee officers are participating in formalized training swaps, group yoga practices, and competitive sports, building mutual respect and skills.
Adding vibrancy, the Indian Naval Band will grace major Singapore landmarks with performances. Educational outreach includes ship visits for local schoolchildren, demystifying naval operations and sparking interest in seafaring careers.
High Commissioner Dr. Shilpak Ambule greeted the trainees and engaged with senior naval commanders on training doctrines. Professionals from the Information Fusion Centre exchanged expertise, enhancing information-sharing mechanisms.
Day two brought community engagements, dialogues with RSN personnel, tours of key facilities like the RSN Museum, athletic competitions, and humanitarian efforts at elderly care homes. These activities exemplify India’s proactive Act East strategy, nurturing stronger bonds with ASEAN maritime powers.
As a pivotal move in India’s IONS chairmanship and broader maritime vision, the squadron will proceed to Indonesia and Thailand, promoting stability and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
