INS Trikand Concludes Seychelles Visit, Strengthens India-Seychelles Defence Cooperation

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, successfully concluded its port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles, and departed on March 20, 2026, after a productive and engaging visit.
 

During the visit, Captain Sachin Kulkarni, the Commanding Officer of INS Trikand, met with senior government officials of Seychelles and the High Commissioner of India. As part of India’s support, the ship also handed over critical spares and essential stores to the Seychelles government.
 

INS Trikand played a key role in the maiden tri-services edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026, involving personnel from the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). Notably, this marked the first participation of the Indian Navy in the Lamitiye exercise.
 

The harbour phase of the exercise included advanced Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training onboard the ship, along with joint boarding drills. This was followed by an intensive sea phase, where INS Trikand conducted joint operations with SCGS Le Vigilant. The operations included coordinated boarding exercises carried out by Indian Navy Marine Commandos and SDF Special Forces.
 

Further strengthening joint operational capabilities, troops from the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces carried out a joint landing exercise on Praslin Island. Senior defence officials, including Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, and Brigadier Jean Attala, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of Seychelles, were present onboard INS Trikand to observe the exercise.
 

Exercise Lamitiye, which means ‘friendship’ in Creole, reflects the long-standing and warm relations between India and Seychelles. The exercise significantly enhanced interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces and reinforced maritime cooperation in the region.
 

The successful port call and joint exercise underline India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region). It also reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to being a preferred security partner and a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.