The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) arrived at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base on January 15. The squadron includes INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and the Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi. This visit forms part of a training deployment in the Southeast Indian Ocean region.
The visit holds special significance as 2026 is being observed as the ‘ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Year 2026’.
During the deployment, personnel from the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will participate in various port activities and professional exchanges aimed at enhancing capabilities and strengthening maritime cooperation. Planned events include coordinated training exercises, joint yoga sessions, and sports competitions between trainees of both navies.
As part of cultural engagements, the Indian Navy Band will perform at prominent public venues in Singapore. The ships will also be opened for visits by schoolchildren.
Upon arrival in Singapore, India’s High Commissioner Dr. Shilpak Ambule interacted with the trainees of the First Training Squadron. Senior officers from 1TS and the commanding officers met with the Commander of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command (MTDC). The visit also included professional exchanges with international liaison officers from the Information Fusion Centre.
On the second day, community programmes and dialogues with the Singapore Navy took place. Highlights included visits to the Information Fusion Centre and the RSN Museum, friendly sporting contests, and outreach activities at the Sri Narayan Old Age and Nursing Home.
This deployment reinforces strong maritime partnerships and ongoing cooperation between India and Southeast Asian countries, in line with India’s ‘Act East Policy.’ It also enhances Maritime Security cooperation between the two navies and reflects India’s leadership role and commitment to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.
The initiative is considered a significant step towards strengthening maritime collaboration, aligned with the vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’—promoting mutual and holistic progress for security and development in the region.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.