New Delhi, March 14. The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini reached the historic Mediterranean port of Valletta on March 12 as part of its transoceanic expedition Lokayan-26, marking a key milestone in its 22,000-nautical-mile journey across several continents.
The ship’s arrival in Malta comes after a successful passage through the Suez Canal and a port call at Alexandria. The visit highlights the longstanding maritime connections between India and Malta and forms an important segment of the vessel’s global training voyage.
During the stopover, the ship’s Commanding Officer met Rachita Bhandari, the Indian High Commissioner to Malta, according to a statement issued by the Minitry of Defence on March 14. Discussions focused on the role of the Indian Navy in strengthening bilateral ties. Bhandari said the presence of the vessel symbolised the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and encouraging people-to-people engagement.
The crew is scheduled to hold professional interactions and courtesy meetings with the armed forces of Malta during the visit, with an emphasis on building trust and interoperability. Community outreach programmes are also planned, including an “open ship” event for school students and members of the Indian diaspora in Malta.
The sailing expedition began from Kochi on January 20 and is currently in its second month. After completing the Malta visit, the ship will proceed to the French coast to participate in the Escale à Sète, where it will represent India alongside several renowned tall ships from around the world.
