Indian Navy Ships Arrive in Bandar Abbas, Strengthening Maritime Cooperation with Iran

Bandar Abbas, Iran:The First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy, comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, has arrived at the port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran, as part of a long-range training deployment in the Persian Gulf. This visit marks a significant step in enhancing maritime cooperative engagement and fostering mutual understanding between India and Iran.

Upon arrival, the vessels were escorted into the harbor by the Iranian naval ship Zereh and received a ceremonial welcome on the jetty from dignitaries representing the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) Navy’s First Naval District and the Indian Naval Attaché.

During their stay, the Indian Navy ships will participate in various activities designed to bolster maritime security and interoperability with the IRI Navy. Planned engagements include professional exchanges, cross-training visits, wreath-laying ceremonies, friendly sports fixtures, and a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX).

This visit follows recent interactions between the Indian and Iranian navies, including the visit of the Iranian Training Flotilla ships Bushehr and Tonb to Mumbai in March 2024, as part of ongoing training collaborations. Additionally, IRI Naval Ship Dena participated in the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 24 in February 2024, highlighting the growing naval cooperation between the two nations.