EAM Jaishankar extends Independence Day greetings to Cabo Verde
New Delhi, July 5
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday extended wishes to the people and the government of Cabo Verde on the occasion of their Independence Day.
In a post on X, the EAM also wished his counterpart, Cape Verde Foreign Minister Amante da Rosa, on the occasion.
"Best wishes to FM Manuel Amante da Rosa, the Government and people of Cabo Verde on the occasion of their Independence Day," he wrote, sharing an image of INS Sudarshini at the Port of Mindelo, Cape Verde, its final African stopover prior to embarking on the trans-Atlantic passage in May this year.
The Indian Navy's sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, successfully concluded an engaging port call at Mindelo, Cape Verde, on 08 May 2026, as part of her expedition, Lokayan 26. The four-day stopover featured a range of professional interactions, cultural exchange, and social engagements, further deepening maritime ties between the two nations.
During the stay, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini called on Capitão-de-Navio Kahbi Yassine Fonseca Pereira Batista, Commander of the Cabo Verde Coast Guard, at the Coast Guard Command. Discussions focused on shared interests in maritime security and avenues for enhanced cooperation. Training engagement formed a major highlight, with the Indian Navy conducting Damage Control and Seamanship drills onboard the Cabo Verdean patrol vessel Guardiao. A delegation from the Cabo Verde Army also embarked on INS Sudarshini for a guided tour and an overview of the ship's sail training capabilities.
Showcasing the warm bond between the two countries, a joint Yoga session was organised with participation from personnel of the Cabo Verde Coast Guard and officials from the Indian Embassy. An onboard reception hosted by the ship brought together senior military officers, government dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community, fostering goodwill and camaraderie.
The port call at Mindelo marked a key milestone under the Indian Navy's Bridges of Friendship initiative, reaffirming commitment to maritime outreach and enduring partnerships with friendly nations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
EAM Jaishankar is always proactive in engaging with small island nations. This 'Bridges of Friendship' initiative is a smart way to expand India's maritime footprint. Hope we see more such exchanges.
Indian Navy doing amazing work! Damage control drills with Cabo Verde Coast Guard and the yoga session… that's soft power at its best. But I hope we also focus on tangible trade benefits from such visits.
Nice gesture, but why is this even news? Independence Day wishes to a small African nation is routine diplomacy. Let's focus on bigger issues like trade deficits or border tensions instead. 🙄
Love how India uses yoga as a diplomatic tool! The joint session with Cabo Verde Coast Guard is heartwarming. 🇮🇳🧘♀️ Our cultural heritage truly builds friendships across the globe.
From a Western perspective, this is smart geopolitics. India is quietly building influence in the Atlantic, countering Chinese presence. The 'Bridges of Friendship' initiative seems well-planned.
INS Sudarshini's voyage is impressive—from India to Africa across the Atlantic! This port call at Mindelo shows our naval reach. But we need more such visits to yield concrete economic partnerships.
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