Indian naval ship Tarkash concludes port call, departs Port Louis, Mauritius
New Delhi, June 24
Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, departed Port Louis, Mauritius, on 22 Jun 2026 on completion of her port call for further deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region.
During the visit, the ship's company participated in a range of harbour activities, including a friendly yet keenly contested volleyball match and professional training capsules for personnel of the Mauritius National Coast Guard, according to an official release.
The ship was also opened to visitors on 21 Jun 2026, drawing approximately 450 members of the Indian diaspora and the local community, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
Captain Rohit Mishra, Commanding Officer of INS Tarkash, called on Mr Rampersad Sooroojebally, PMSM, Commissioner of Police, and HE Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, the release added.
The ship additionally hosted personnel of the Mauritius National Coast Guard for a yoga session on 21 Jun 2026 to commemorate the International Day of Yoga 2026.
The visit reaffirmed the close and enduring ties between India and Mauritius and underscored India's commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation, regional security and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), the release concluded.
Earlier in April, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid a high-level visit to Mauritius, which combined major healthcare diplomacy, political engagements, and participation in regional multilateral dialogue, reinforcing the strategic depth of India-Mauritius relations.
One of the highlights of the visit was the inauguration of Mauritius's first dedicated renal transplant unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Port Louis, a project widely seen as a milestone in the island nation's healthcare capacity and a symbol of India's long-term development partnership. He will also attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius.
Inaugurating the facility, Jaishankar described it as a transformative moment for patients and families in Mauritius, calling it both a medical and humanitarian achievement.
In a post on X, he said, "Delighted to join PM @Ramgoolam_Dr in inaugurating the Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital. The new facility will improve tertiary healthcare access for kidney patients and add to the stellar health partnership."
He reiterated India's commitment to global solidarity and cooperation, stating that Mauritius will always hold a special place in India's vision of a shared global family.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the cultural exchange and professional training, I hope this isn't just about soft power projection. The Indian diaspora shouldn't be used as political tools. The volleyball match and yoga are nice gestures, but real security requires more than just symbolism. 😕
Its good to see India strengthening ties with Mauritius. The inauguration of renal transplant unit is a real game-changer for healthcare there. Imagine how many families will get a second chance because of this. That's the kind of diplomacy that touches hearts. 🤗
Indian Navy doing great work in the Indian Ocean region. The visit by INS Tarkash and the professional exchanges will definitely boost maritime security. We need to be active in protecting our maritime interests.
But I sometimes feel like we are over-romanticizing these visits. Hope it leads to concrete outcomes in terms of counter-piracy and anti-poaching cooperation.
That volleyball match sounds adorable! 🏐 And 450 people visiting the ship—great people-to-people connect. India really knows how to combine hard power with soft power. The yoga session on International Yoga Day shows our cultural strength too.
As a sailor's son, I feel proud seeing our Navy engage with other nations. The MAHASAGAR vision isn't just government jargon—it's real. We're showing that India isn't a threat but a partner in peace.
But I wish more such visits would include joint anti-drug trafficking exercises. That's a major issue in the Indian Ocean region. 🇮🇳
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.