Indian Navy Training Squadron Visits Sri Lanka for Cooperation

The Indian Navy deployed its First Training Squadron to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on October 26 for a three-day goodwill visit. The squadron consists of two warships, the INS Tir and INS Sujata, and one Indian Coast Guard vessel, the ICGS Sarathi. Led by Captain Tijo K Joseph, the fleet is transporting 135 officer trainees as part of a long-range deployment that includes stops in the Maldives and Seychelles before returning to Kochi.

Upon arrival, commanding officers met with Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters to exchange mementoes. The visit is designed to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation under India's Neighbourhood First policy and MAHASAGAR vision. Scheduled activities include professional knowledge exchanges, sporting interactions between cadets, and cross-visits to the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee.

As part of the broader cooperation, five Sri Lanka Navy officer trainees are participating in the Indian squadron's deployment. The program also allows Sri Lankan personnel to observe training activities aboard the Indian vessels while visiting personnel travel to various locations across the island.