Squadron Reaches Maputo Amid 50-Year Diplomatic Celebration
The First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy — comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi — arrived in Maputo, Mozambique, on 16 September 2025. Led by Captain Tijo K Joseph, the visit is part of the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mozambique.
Joint Training & Operational Exercises
Over the four-day visit, the squadron will conduct a range of training with the Mozambique Navy, including:
- VBSS (Visit-Board-Search-Seizure) drills and diving operations.
- Training in navigation, communication, firefighting, and damage control.
- A PASSEX (Passage Exercise) and joint surveillance of Mozambique’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Cadets, Diplomacy & Outreach
The squadron carries nearly 100 sea trainee cadets from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, including two cadets from Mozambique, undergoing pre-commission training.
Besides military drills, the visit includes courtesy calls on senior Mozambican Navy officers, the Mayor of Maputo, and the Indian High Commissioner. Socio-cultural activities like yoga sessions, medical camps, school visits and friendly sports fixtures are also planned to deepen people-to-people ties.
Strategic Context & Maritime Cooperation
This deployment falls under India’s MAHASAGAR doctrine — aimed at strengthening maritime security, cooperation, and capacity building in the Indian Ocean region. The visit further signals growing goodwill, operational interoperability, and joint capability development with partner nations.
Outcomes to Watch
- How effectively joint drills and PASSEX enhance India-Mozambique coordination in navigation, communication, and maritime security.
- Whether this contributes to bolstering Mozambique’s naval capability, especially in EEZ surveillance and coastal defence.
- The impact of outreach efforts on bilateral ties, trust, and diplomatic relations beyond just military cooperation.
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