During the port call, the Senior Officer, 1TS, accompanied by the Commanding Officers of the ships, Western Naval Area, Sri Lanka Navy (Photo: PIB)
To strengthen maritime cooperation and defence ties between India and Sri Lanka, ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, have concluded a port call in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The visit featured bilateral naval engagements, professional exchanges between trainees and a joint maritime exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.
As part of professional engagements, sea trainees from 1TS visited the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee and interacted with Sri Lankan trainees. In a reciprocal engagement, Sri Lankan Navy cadets visited the Indian ships to learn about their training facilities and activities. The exchanges provided opportunities to share professional experiences and strengthen camaraderie between the trainees.
Ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, comprising INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, departed Colombo, Sri Lanka
The visit also included community outreach activities, with Indian Navy personnel participating in a beach clean-up initiative to promote environmental sustainability. The ships were also opened to local visitors and members of the Indian diaspora, offering them an opportunity to interact with the crew and learn about the Indian Navy’s training and operational activities.
In a press statement, the Indian Navy says that on departure from Colombo, the three ships conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lanka Navy ship SLNS Nandimithra. The exercise involved coordinated maritime manoeuvres and enhanced operational coordination and interoperability between the two maritime forces.
The statement adds that the visit reaffirmed the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and their shared commitment to regional maritime cooperation and capacity building.
