18 March,2026 05:26 PM IST | Port Louis, Mauritius | mid-day online correspondent
INS Trikand participated in the 58th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12. (Pic/Defence PRO)
Indian naval ship INS Trikand has successfully concluded its port call at Port Louis, Mauritius, on March 13, marking a significant step in reinforcing maritime cooperation between India and the island nation.
As per an official statement, the warship participated in the 58th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12. The Indian Navy contingent, along with a naval band and the ship's integral helicopter, took part in the parade and flypast held at the Champ de Mars, adding grandeur to the national festivities.
As part of the official engagements, commanding officer, Captain Sachin Kulkarni, called on Commissioner of Police for the Mauritius Police Force Rampersad Sooroojebally and Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava, underscoring the importance of diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries.
The ship also hosted a cultural evening on board, attended by senior Mauritian ministers and officials. Mauritian politician Mahend Gungapersad graced the event as the chief guest, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties shared by India and Mauritius.
Along with the ceremonial engagements, INS Trikand also carried out a series of professional and community-oriented activities. These included training sessions for personnel of the Mauritius National Coast Guard, focusing on critical areas such as harbour and sea watchkeeping, firefighting, and damage control. The ship was opened to visitors on March 12, attracting over 500 attendees.
The visit also featured sports fixtures, cultural exchanges, and outreach programmes aimed at deepening bilateral engagement. Upon departure, INS Trikand conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) and joint Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance with CGS Valiant before proceeding for its next operational deployment.
The successful port call reaffirms the enduring maritime partnership between India and Mauritius and aligns with India's MAHASAGAR vision - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions - further strengthening strategic ties in the Indian Ocean region.
Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya was ceremonially flagged into Mumbai Harbour by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth earlier in the month, marking the successful completion of her maiden overseas voyage to the Sultanate of Oman, an official statement issued by the Defence PRO said.
The flag-in ceremony will commemorate the vessel's return across the Arabian Sea, reaffirming India's enduring maritime heritage and centuries-old India-Oman ties across the Indian Ocean, it added.
A unique symbol of India's ancient shipbuilding traditions, INSV Kaundinya is a traditionally constructed stitched ship, built entirely using age-old techniques in which wooden planks are hand-stitched with coir rope and sealed with natural resins. The vessel represents a revival of India's historic maritime craftsmanship and reflects efforts to preserve and rediscover Indic knowledge systems.
