With naval cooperation growing between the two maritime neighbours, India navy sailing vessels INS Sudarshini and INS Tarangani have arrived in Sri Lanka as part of a squadron of training vessels calling at Trincomalee and Colombo ports.

“The visit marks a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, wherein for the first time such a large number of Indian Navy ships have visited Sri Lanka,” India’s High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

Sailing vessels Sudarshini and Tarangani are visiting Trincomalee port in the North West of Sri Lanka along with Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram from October 24 to 28, according to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Landing Ship Tanker (Large) Magar and Shardul are also visiting Colombo.

“During their stay, a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions are scheduled between the ships’ crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel.”

A total of 75 officers, 153 officer cadets, 10 NCC cadets and 530 sailors form part of the visit.

The sail training vessel INS Tarangani was commissioned in 1997 and its sister Sudarshini ship in 2012.

Tarangini is a three-masted steel barque, designed by Colin Mudie and built at Goa Shipyard Limited.

Earlier, the two navies conducted a three-day military exercise off Trincomalee beginning on October 18, in a show of growing congruence in their strategic interests and operational convergence in the region, Sri Lanka media said. 

(SAM)