Indian Navy ramps up engagement in Southwest Indian Ocean

The Indian Navy has stepped up its presence and activities in the Southwest Indian Ocean region deploying warships for capacity building and conducting joint exercises which include deepening the maritime partnerships in the eastern part of the African continent.

Stealth frigate INS Talwar was recently deployed to the area, which first made a stop at Mombasa in Kenya to conduct Passage Exercises (PASSEX) with the Kenyan naval forces.

The ship later moved on to Cape Town, South Africa to participate in the IBSAMAR exercises, a trilateral naval exercise of India, Brazil and South Africa. 

Thereafter, INS Talwar proceeded to La Reunion, an island of strategic significance and French territory to enhance the India-France maritime partnership.

The ship’s last port of call was Male', Maldives, where the asset later took part in escorting the Maldives’ Coast Guard Ship Huravee to India for overhaul and repairs to signify the strong defence connections between New Delhi and Male.

In parallel, INS Suvarna visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month as part of a broader effort to enhance defence ties. The visit included the transfer of an Integrated Weapon Training Simulator to the Tanzanian forces, aimed at bolstering their infantry training. 

The warship also conducted joint maritime exercises focusing on Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance and anti-piracy measures.

Subsequently, INS Suvarna visited Mauritius, coinciding with the 190th Aapravasi Divas, that marks the arrival of Indian indentured labourers. The Suvarna later towed the Mauritius Coast Guard Ship Valiant back to Vizag, India, for a major refit.

Adding to these naval engagements, INS Gharial also engaged in the region. It visited the Maldives for coordinated exercises with the Maldives National Defence Force and later Mozambique, where it handed over two Fast Interceptor Crafts to aid in combating maritime terrorism and insurgency in the troubled Cabo Delgado province. 

These crafts, capable of high speeds and equipped for combat, will significantly boost Mozambique's maritime security capabilities.

These deployments are part of India's strategic SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative, which seeks to promote regional maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Through this initiative, India positions itself as a stabilising force, enhancing its naval diplomacy and strengthening ties with Indian Ocean countries, while ensuring maritime security and economic growth for all in the region.