Indian Naval Squadron Visits Maldives on Long-Range Training

A squadron of Indian naval and coast guard ships has reached Maldives as part of a long-range training deployment. The group includes INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, which anchored near Male, the Maldivian capital.

The Maldives National Defence Force extended a hearty reception to the visiting Indian ships. Observers view the visit as an expression of the strong maritime partnership and regional bonds between the two countries.

The ships are from the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron. The squadron's senior officer met the Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force and the Commandant of the Maldives Coast Guard. The talks centred on keeping defence channels open and expanding cooperation across multiple areas of the maritime sector.

During the visit, the senior officer also met India's High Commissioner to Maldives, G. Balasubramaniam. Meanwhile, Indian Navy trainees visited the Girifushi Training Centre in Maldives to understand its training structure and activities.

A range of activities is planned to strengthen ties between sailors of both navies. These include visits to each other's ships, sports competitions, social engagements and outreach programmes. The organisers say the events are meant to build deeper understanding and reinforce cooperation between the two armed forces.

The visit highlights improved coordination and rising collaboration in the maritime domain. It also reflects India's SAGAR vision, aimed at security and growth for all in the region. Through such deployments, India is advancing maritime security, training and partnership with countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

Before reaching Maldives, the ships had visited ports in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, where they carried out joint exercises with local navies. The First Training Squadron, deployed in Southeast Asia, includes INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and the Coast Guard ship Sarathi.