Ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) INS Tir & ICGS Sarathi and INS Shardul, arrived at La Réunion and Port Louis respectively, on 08 Sept 2025 as part of their Long Range Training Deployment in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region.

At La Réunion, Tir and Sarathi were received by French Navy ship FS Nivose, with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) marking the welcome. The visit includes professional interactions such as cross-training visits, joint diving exercises, yoga sessions , and sports fixtures , strengthening the India–France naval partnership. The Senior Officer of 1TS also called on the French Naval Base Commander and the Commandant Supérieur des FAZSOI, where discussions focused on regional security, future prospects for joint exercises, and avenues for enhancing maritime cooperation under the shared vision of building bridges of friendship.

Simultaneously, INS Shardul entered Port Louis, Mauritius, where she conducted joint patrolling and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance with MCGS Victory and a Mauritius Coast Guard Dornier prior to arrival. During the port call, the Commanding Officer INS Shardul called on senior Mauritian leadership, including the Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the National Coast Guard, and the Secretary of Home Affairs. The engagements reaffirmed the strong bonds of trust, professional cooperation, and cultural ties between India and Mauritius.

A series of joint training exercises are planned with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius, covering diving operations, firefighting, damage control, and shipboard familiarisation drills. Community outreach, yoga sessions, cultural programmes, and friendly sports fixtures are scheduled to foster camaraderie and people-to-people connect. Cross-deck visits, school tours, and open-ship events will provide opportunities for the public and the Indian diaspora to gain an insight into life at sea and the role of the Indian Navy.

The concurrent port calls of 1TS at La Réunion and Mauritius underline India’s commitment to strengthen maritime collaboration with partner nations. The deployment also reflects shared aspirations for regional stability, enhanced interoperability, and closer cooperation aligned with the vision of MAHASAGAR, reaffirming Indian Navy’s role in bolstering bridges of friendship across the Indian Ocean Region.

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