COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 14: INS Sharda has departed from Colombo after a successful port call that further strengthened maritime cooperation and friendship between India and Sri Lanka.
The visit featured a series of professional, training, and sporting engagements with the Sri Lankan Navy, according to an official statement released on Sunday.
As part of capacity-building initiatives, Sri Lankan Navy personnel participated in training sessions on small-arms handling, basic firefighting, first aid, and rescue procedures.
During the visit, Rear Adm. Jagath Kumara, commander of the Western Naval Area of the Sri Lankan Navy, visited the ship and interacted with the crew, reaffirming the strong maritime partnership between the two nations.
Friendly sports fixtures, professional exchanges, and cross-deck visits further enhanced interoperability and strengthened ties between the two navies, the statement said.
During the port call, the commanding officer of INS Sharda paid a courtesy call on Santosh Jha, India’s high commissioner to Sri Lanka.
The visit underscored the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional maritime cooperation and security in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Earlier, in line with India’s commitment to regional cooperation, INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise conducted from May 4 to May 10, 2025, according to the Indian Navy.
The deployment was described as a testament to the strong defense and maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives.
The exercise also aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, emphasizing collaborative efforts to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
According to the Indian Navy, the HADR exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force.
The exercise focused on disaster response coordination, search-and-rescue operations, medical assistance, logistical support, joint drills, training sessions, and community engagement following a major natural disaster.
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