Three ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) — INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi — departed Sri Lanka this morning (29), following a successful official visit and a joint Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the western seas.

During their visit, Indian naval personnel and officer trainees participated in professional exchange programmes, operational observation tours and friendly sporting events organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, strengthening bilateral naval relations.

The programme also featured a joint beach clean-up campaign and a combined musical performance by the bands of the two navies. The visiting personnel also toured several cultural and historical sites across Sri Lanka, the Navy said in a statement.

As part of the concluding activities, the three ships conducted a Passage Exercise with Sri Lanka Navy vessel SLNS Nandimithra and Fast Attack Craft P 492.

The exercise provided an opportunity for both navies to enhance communication, navigation coordination and operational interoperability.

Official visits and joint naval exercises of this nature aim to strengthen cooperation, facilitate the exchange of expertise and enhance the collective capacity of both countries to address common maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, the Navy added.