Colombo: The Indian Navy ships from the First Training Squadron (1TS) including INS Tir, INS Sujata, and the Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi, departed Colombo on Thursday after completing a port call that included bilateral interactions, training, and social service activities.
Joint Maritime Exercise
This port call concluded with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lankan Navy ship, SLNS Nandimithra at sea, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and interaction capabilities between the two navies.
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The Indian Navy announced in a post on social media platform X: "The First Training Squadron ships - departed Colombo on October 29 and continued their long-term training mission." This post also referred to mutual training activities and social interactions.
Bilateral Interactions and Social Activities
According to the Ministry of Defence, this voyage included bilateral interactions between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy, strengthening defense cooperation and maritime partnership between the two countries. During this voyage, the commander of the First Training Squadron along with the ship commanders met with the commander of the Western Naval Area of the Sri Lankan Navy. This interaction reaffirmed the close bilateral relations and the mutual commitment of both navies to enhance maritime cooperation.
As part of professional interactions, trainees from the First Training Squadron visited the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) in Trincomalee and interacted with their Sri Lankan counterparts. In a reciprocal interaction, Sri Lankan Navy trainees visited the Indian training ships and familiarized themselves with their facilities and training activities.
The Ministry of Defence stated that these interactions provided opportunities for experience exchange and strengthened professional friendships between the trainees of both navies. As part of social service activities, Indian Navy personnel participated in a beach cleanup activity that contributed to promoting environmental sustainability. The ships were also opened to visitors, including members of the local community and the Indian diaspora, allowing them to interact with the crew and learn about the activities and training of the Indian Navy.
This exercise facilitated coordinated maritime maneuvers and enhanced operational coordination and interaction capabilities between the two navies. This voyage reaffirmed the sustainable maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and their mutual commitment to regional maritime cooperation and capacity building, aligning with the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Comprehensive Advancement for Security and Growth in the Regions).
Earlier, the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy conducted a three-day port call in the Maldives and departed on October 24, which was part of their long-term training mission.
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