The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, arrived at Changi Naval Base in Singapore on January 15, 2026, as part of a training deployment to the South East Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The visit underscores India’s sustained maritime engagement with Southeast Asia and gains added significance as 2026 is being observed as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.”
During the port call, personnel from the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) are participating in a wide range of harbour activities and professional interactions aimed at enhancing operational skills and strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation. Planned engagements include structured training exchanges, professional discussions, joint yoga sessions and friendly sports fixtures involving trainees from both navies, reflecting a comprehensive approach to capacity building and people-to-people ties.
Cultural diplomacy is also a key feature of the visit. The Indian Naval Band is scheduled to perform at prominent public locations across Singapore, highlighting India’s maritime heritage and fostering greater public outreach. In addition, the visiting ships will be open to schoolchildren, offering them an opportunity to gain insight into naval operations and life at sea.
On arrival, the trainees of 1TS interacted with Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore. The Senior Officer of the squadron and the Commanding Officers also paid courtesy calls on the Commander of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command (MTDC). Professional exchanges were further enriched through interactions with International Liaison Officers at the Information Fusion Centre, where experiences on maritime domain awareness and information sharing were discussed.
The second day of the visit focused on community engagement and deeper interaction with the RSN. Highlights included visits to the Information Fusion Centre and the RSN Museum, friendly sports events, and an outreach programme at the Sree Narayana Old Age and Nursing Home, underscoring the humanitarian and social dimension of the deployment.
The visit reinforces India’s strong maritime partnerships in Southeast Asia and aligns with New Delhi’s Act East Policy. It also enhances maritime security cooperation between the Indian Navy and the RSN, reaffirming India’s commitment to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and advancing the vision of MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
