Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Arrives in Singapore to Strengthen ASEAN Maritime Ties

SINGAPORE — January 17, 2026 :- The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), featuring the INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, docked at Changi Naval Base on January 15, 2026, as part of a strategic training deployment to the South East Indian Ocean Region. This visit holds heightened diplomatic importance as 2026 marks the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.” Upon arrival, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, Dr. Shilpak Ambule, met with the trainees, while senior officers held high-level discussions with the Commander of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command (MTDC). The deployment is a practical application of India’s “Act East Policy” and the “MAHASAGAR” vision, which promotes mutual and holistic security and growth across the region.

Throughout the visit, personnel from the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) are participating in a robust schedule of professional exchanges, capability enhancement workshops, and structured training sessions. Beyond military cooperation, the stay includes significant community and cultural outreach, such as performances by the Indian Naval Band at public venues, joint yoga sessions, and friendly sports matches. Educational engagement is also a priority, with the naval vessels opening their decks to local school children. These interactions, alongside visits to the Information Fusion Centre and the RSN Museum, underscore India’s leadership within the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and its commitment to fostering a stable, cooperative maritime environment in Southeast Asia.