New Delhi: Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded its three-day port call at Lisbon, Portugal, on August 25, 2026.
The visit formed part of the ship’s ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. It also strengthened maritime cooperation and professional ties between India and Portugal.
During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini met Rear Admiral Miguel Bessa Pacheco, Commandant of the Portuguese Naval Academy.
The officer also called on Rear Admiral Joao Paulo Silva Pereira, Deputy Fleet Commander of the Portuguese Navy. These engagements reinforced institutional ties and mutual understanding between the two navies.
Indian Navy sea trainees also visited the Portuguese Naval Academy, known as Escola Naval. They met their Portuguese counterparts and toured the historic campus and training facilities.
The trainees exchanged views on seamanship and tall-ship sail training. The interaction provided an opportunity for both sides to share professional experiences.
INS Sudarshini strengthens naval ties in Lisbon
The port call also included a deck reception onboard the ship. Senior Portuguese military officials, members of the diplomatic corps and the Indian diaspora attended the reception.
The visit highlighted the longstanding maritime partnership between India and Portugal. It also provided opportunities for naval personnel from both countries to engage through professional and social interactions.
Earlier, INS Sudarshini had visited Ponta Delgada, another Portuguese port, during the Lokayan 26 expedition.
The visits to Ponta Delgada and Lisbon underscored the enduring maritime cooperation between the two countries. They also supported greater interaction between the Indian and Portuguese navies.
The Lokayan 26 expedition continues the Indian Navy’s sail training and overseas engagement efforts. Through such port calls, naval trainees gain practical exposure to long-distance sailing and international maritime cooperation.
