New Delhi, Oct 22 Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) ships — INS Tir, INS Sujata, and the Coast Guard ship ‘Sarathi’ — arrived in the Maldives as part of the squadron’s long-range training deployment, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.
Upon its arrival off Malé on October 21, the squadron received a warm welcome from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), reflecting the strong maritime partnership and close regional ties between the two nations.
During the port call, the First Training Squadron’s senior officer called on the Chief of Defence Force, MNDF, and the Commandant, MNDF Coast Guard.
Discussions focused on sustained engagement and multifaceted maritime collaboration between the Indian Navy and MNDF, the ministry said.
The senior officer also called on G Balasubramaniam, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. As part of the training exchanges, trainees of 1TS visited the Girifushi Training Centre.
Cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, social interactions, and outreach activities are also planned during the visit to foster camaraderie and mutual understanding between the two forces, it said.
“The ongoing visit reaffirms enhanced interoperability between the Indian Navy and MNDF and underscores the growing maritime cooperation between the two nations, in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions),” it added.
(PTI News)
