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India and Portugal are set to further strengthen their maritime partnership during the port call of the Indian Navy's sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, to Lisbon on Saturday, as part of her ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.
Sharing the details in a press release, the Ministry of Defence said that during the port call, the ship's crew and trainees will participate in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and cultural engagements with Portuguese naval leadership, local authorities, and the Indian diaspora. The three-masted barque made a grand entry through the Tagus River, showcasing traditional sailing and seamanship skills. As per the Ministry of Defence, the visit to Lisbon marks the ship's 15th port visit in seven months of voyage, reaffirming India's enduring maritime connect and spirit of goodwill across the globe. As part of Lokayan 26, INS Sudarshini continues to carry the message of friendship, cooperation and camaraderie, strengthening bonds with partner nations. Earlier last week, INS Sudarshini concluded her port call at Ponta Delgada, Azores. The Ministry of Defence, in a prior release, noted that the port call witnessed professional and cultural engagements with the Portuguese Navy, strengthening maritime cooperation and camaraderie between the two navies. A formal deck reception was hosted onboard the Portuguese Navy's sail training vessel, NRP Sagres. This was followed by a reciprocal evening deck reception onboard INS Sudarshini for local military leadership, diplomats and members of the Indian diaspora. Notably, the ship also celebrated India's 80th Independence Day at Ponta Delgada on 15 Aug 2026. The ship was dressed overall, and a Colours ceremony was held to mark the occasion with pride and patriotism. INS Sudarshini is on the flagship voyage of Lokayan 26, a 10-month transoceanic expedition, which commenced in January this year. Reflecting India's rich maritime heritage and the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam across the oceans, the ship will sail over 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 foreign ports across 13 countries. A previous statement by the Ministry of Defence noted that during the course of the voyage, over 200 Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard trainees will undergo intensive sail training, gaining invaluable experience in long-range ocean navigation and traditional seamanship at sea. The deployment will expose the trainees to nuances of life onboard a tall ship and provide opportunities for interaction with trainees of other Navies, fostering professional exchange and building enduring bonds of friendship, the release said. (ANI)
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