INS Sudarshini concludes Barcelona port call, reinforces India-Spain maritime ties
New Delhi, Sep 7. Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded its port call at Barcelona, Spain, on September 6 as part of the ongoing Lokayan 26 expedition, providing an opportunity to further strengthen maritime cooperation and people-to-people ties between India and Spain.
During the visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer held professional interactions with senior officials of the Spanish Navy and maritime authorities, focusing on strengthening professional engagement and fostering greater understanding between the two maritime forces.
A deck reception hosted onboard the vessel brought together senior Spanish naval officers, diplomatic representatives, civil authorities and other distinguished guests, providing an opportunity for interaction and exchange between officials from the two countries.
The vessel was also opened to visitors during its stay in Barcelona, allowing members of the Indian diaspora and local residents to interact with the ship’s crew and trainees. The outreach highlighted the cultural and people-to-people dimension of the expedition alongside its maritime objectives.
The Indian Navy said the port call reaffirmed the longstanding maritime relationship between India and Spain and facilitated both professional and cultural exchanges. The visit is expected to contribute to strengthening mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Barcelona stop forms part of Lokayan 26, under which INS Sudarshini is undertaking an extended sail training deployment aimed at providing practical exposure to naval trainees while promoting maritime diplomacy and strengthening India’s engagement with partner countries.
