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INS Sudarshini Reaches Spain’s Las Palmas in Maiden Visit to Boost Ties

INS Sudarshini has arrived at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, marking the first visit by an Indian naval ship to the archipelago. The port call aims to strengthen naval ties with Spain through professional interactions and community engagement. The ship is on a transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26, having previously visited Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco. Future plans include a trans-Atlantic passage to participate in US Sail 250 events celebrating America's 250th Independence Day.

Key Points: INS Sudarshini at Las Palmas: Strengthening India-Spain Naval Ties

  • INS Sudarshini arrives at Las Palmas, Canary Islands, in a maiden visit
  • Port call strengthens India-Spain naval ties and people-to-people links
  • Ship open to local community and Indian diaspora during stay
  • Later to join US Sail 250 events for America's 250th Independence Day
2 min read

INS Sudarshini arrives at Las Palmas; visit to strengthen naval ties with Spain

Indian Navy's INS Sudarshini arrives at Las Palmas in a maiden visit. The ship will hold professional interactions, open to visitors, and later join US Sail 250 events.

"The visit underscores growing maritime cooperation and engagement between the Indian Navy and the Spanish Navy. - Ministry of Defence"

Las Palmas, April 24

The Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Las Palmas on Thursday, as part of her ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26. The port call to the Canary Islands archipelago is significant as it marks the maiden visit of an Indian naval ship to the archipelago, the Ministry of Defence noted in a statement.

As per the Ministry of Defence, the stopover serves as a strategic pause before the ship embarks on her ambitious trans-Atlantic passage.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini is scheduled to hold professional interactions with Spanish Naval authorities. Strengthening people-to-people ties, the ship will also be open to visitors for the local Spanish community and the Indian diaspora, the statement said.

It underlined that the visit underscores growing maritime cooperation and engagement between the Indian Navy and the Spanish Navy.

Having sailed from Kochi in Jan 2026, INS Sudarshini has undertaken port calls in Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco, spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Looking ahead, the ship will undertake a long trans-Atlantic passage with planned participation in Sail 250 commemorative events across various ports in the United States as part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations, the Ministry of Defence said.

Earlier, INS Sudarshini concluded a "productive and engaging" port call at Casablanca, marking a key step in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Morocco, according to an official press release by the Ministry of Defence.

According to the official press release, the visit, which ended on April 18, was part of the ongoing Lokayan 26 deployment aimed at enhancing international naval partnerships.

During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini held professional interactions with senior Moroccan naval leaders, focusing on training exchanges and maritime cooperation. The visit also featured active engagement between Indian Navy trainees and cadets of the Royal Moroccan Naval School through cross-deck visits and friendly sports fixtures.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Lovely to see our naval ship visiting the Canary Islands for the first time. The open house for local community and Indian diaspora is brilliant - it's not just about military ties but people-to-people connect.
J
James A
Great to see Indian Navy extending its reach into the Atlantic. The Sail 250 participation in US bicentennial celebrations will be historic. My only concern is whether our sailors get enough shore leave and cultural exposure during such long deployments? Still, hats off to the crew!
V
Vikram M
As someone who has sailed on Indian Navy ships, this takes me back! The camaraderie and the feeling of representing India abroad is unmatched. Lokayan 26 is a brilliant initiative - soft power projection at its best. Spain here we come! 🚢
S
Sarah B
The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam philosophy is something the world needs more of! Very smart of India to combine a training deployment with diplomacy. The cross-deck visits and sports fixtures with Spanish and Moroccan navies are a great way to build trust.
A
Ananya R
Happy to see India stepping up its naval diplomacy! But I wish more ports of call were in our immediate neighbourhood - we still have unresolved issues with some neighbours. Nevertheless, global outreach is important too!
R

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