Malé, April 25 (ANI): The Indian Navy’s fast attack craft INS Kalpeni arrived at Gan in the Addu Atoll, marking a significant development in ongoing maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives.
The High Commission of India in the Maldives confirmed the visit, stating that the deployment underscores “deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation” between the two nations.
The visit aligns with India’s broader regional outreach under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Earlier this month, INS Sunayna reached Malé as part of the IOS SAGAR initiative, highlighting India’s strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean Region.
INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class offshore patrol vessel, is currently crewed by personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries and was received with full naval honors by the Maldives National Defence Force. Prior to docking, Indian Navy and Maldivian Coast Guard units conducted joint seamanship exercises at sea.
These exercises included tactical station-keeping, advanced signaling, small arms firing drills, as well as damage control and firefighting operations, aimed at enhancing coordination and operational readiness between the two forces.
The ongoing deployment also facilitates Subject Matter Expert Exchanges to strengthen maritime domain awareness and interoperability. Officials described the visit as strategically important, projecting India’s role as a preferred security partner in the region.
The IOS SAGAR initiative—Security and Growth for All in the Region—reflects India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building among Indian Ocean nations. The current edition, which began on March 16, includes participation from 16 member countries of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.
India’s engagement through such initiatives reinforces its role as a “First Responder” and a trusted partner in supporting the Maldives’ development and security priorities.
The presence of multinational crew members aboard Indian naval vessels highlights a broader vision of regional cooperation, emphasizing partnership, unity, and shared progress across the Indian Ocean Region. (ANI)
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