Indian Navy's ship INS Sudarshini arrives in US' Baltimore as part of transoceanic expedition Lokayan 26
Baltimore, June 27
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday as part of its landmark transoceanic expedition Lokayan 26, highlighting India's maritime heritage and strengthening naval ties between India and the United States.
According to an official release, INS Sudarshini reached Baltimore after sailing from Norfolk through the historic Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal, passing beneath major mid-Atlantic bridges.
The visit marks an important milestone in the expedition and underscores the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, the release said.
During its stay in Baltimore, the Indian Navy's tall ship will undertake maritime engagement and community outreach activities ahead of the Sail250 Maryland celebrations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Prior to arriving in Baltimore, INS Sudarshini participated in the Sail250 Virginia celebrations at Norfolk from June 19 to 23, where it joined tall ships from across the world and represented India in the Parade of Sail and the City Crew Parade.
The transoceanic voyage, which began from Kochi, has covered more than 13,000 nautical miles over five months before reaching Norfolk, showcasing India's long-standing seafaring traditions and its maritime outreach.
The Indian Navy said the expedition reflects the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and aims to foster friendship, cooperation and mutual trust among nations across the oceans.
INS Sudarshini is a sail training ship of the Indian Navy, used to train naval personnel in traditional sailing skills while promoting maritime diplomacy and international engagement.
Earlier on May 31, INS Sudarshini departed from Antigua after concluding a four-day port call that marked an important milestone in India's maritime outreach and engagement with Caribbean nations under the ongoing Lokayan 26 expedition.
The visit enhanced maritime cooperation between India and Antigua, as per a statement by the Ministry of Defence.
During the visit, the ship hosted several dignitaries, including Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. The Commanding Officer also called on Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, Chief of Defence Staff of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see India's naval diplomacy in action! As an American, I welcome this visit to Baltimore. The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal is a historic route, and it's amazing that an Indian Navy ship sailed through it. This is exactly the kind of soft power that builds bridges between nations. Kudos to the Indian Navy!
Love how INS Sudarshini blends tradition with diplomacy! Those sail training skills are vanishing in modern navies, so keeping them alive is smart. But I wish the release mentioned more about the crew's interactions with the Indian diaspora in Baltimore. Community outreach should include connecting with thousands of Indian-Americans there.
Impressive voyage! 13,000 nautical miles is no joke. But this reminds me that while India sends a sail training ship around the world, we're still building our aircraft carrier fleet. We need both soft power and hard power. Still, it's a great PR move for India's maritime heritage. Well done, Indian Navy!
This is the kind of India story that should trend! 🇮🇳 From Kochi to Norfolk and Baltimore, showing our maritime links. The Sail250 celebrations are perfect timing—250 years of US independence, and India is part of it. But I hope our sailors also share chai and samosas with the locals! That's real diplomacy. 😄
As someone from Baltimore, this is exciting! We don't often see Indian Navy ships here. The Inner Harbor will be a perfect backdrop for the community events. I hope this visit inspires more Indian-American kids here to consider naval careers. It's
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