Now Reading: INS Sudarshini docks in Lisbon to boost India-Portugal ties
-
01
INS Sudarshini docks in Lisbon to boost India-Portugal ties
Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived in Lisbon on August 22 as part of the Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition, marking its 15th port visit in seven months. The three-masted barque entered through the Tagus River, showcasing traditional sailing skills.
The defence ministry said the port call will include professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural engagements with Portuguese naval leadership, local authorities and the Indian diaspora. The visit aims to strengthen the India-Portugal naval partnership. Earlier, the ship concluded a port call at Ponta Delgada in the Azores, where it celebrated India's 80th Independence Day and hosted deck receptions aboard Portuguese and Indian vessels.
Under the Lokayan 26 expedition, INS Sudarshini will sail over 22,000 nautical miles and visit 18 foreign ports across 13 countries, carrying a message of friendship and cooperation.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The port call follows India's broader push to deepen naval diplomacy in the Atlantic, a region where the Indian Navy has traditionally had limited presence compared to the Indian Ocean. Portugal, a NATO member, shares India's interest in safeguarding sea lines of communication and countering piracy. The Lokayan series of expeditions, named after the Sanskrit word for 'voyage', typically involve training cadets from friendly navies and showcasing India's shipbuilding and seamanship. With 13 countries on the itinerary, the current expedition signals New Delhi's intent to build habitually deployed naval partnerships beyond its immediate neighbourhood. The next port visit after Lisbon will be closely watched by strategic analysts tracking India's outreach to Europe.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
