Why in News?
The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Lisbon, Portugal as part of its Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. The port call aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and naval relations between India and Portugal.
Key Highlights
- During its stay in Lisbon, the crew and trainees of INS Sudarshini are participating in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural engagements with the Portuguese Navy, local authorities and the Indian diaspora.
- The three-masted sailing vessel entered Lisbon through the Tagus River, showcasing India’s traditional sailing and seamanship skills.
- The Lisbon visit is the ship’s 15th port call during its seven-month voyage. Earlier, INS Sudarshini visited Ponta Delgada in the Azores, where it held professional and cultural engagements with the Portuguese Navy.
- A formal deck reception was hosted aboard the Portuguese Navy’s sail training vessel NRP Sagres, followed by a reciprocal reception on board INS Sudarshini for military leaders, diplomats and members of the Indian diaspora.
About Lokayan 26
Lokayan 26 is a 10-month transoceanic expedition undertaken by INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy's indigenously built Sail Training Ship (STS). It embarked on 20 January 2026 from Kochi, Kerala.