VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, October 18 (ANI) — The Indian and Russian navies held the opening ceremony of Exercise INDRA 2026 during its harbor phase in Vladivostok on October 15, with cross-deck visits, planning conferences and protocol meetings marking the engagement.
In a post on X, the Indian Navy’s spokesperson wrote, “During the Harbour Phase of #INDRA2026, the Russian Navy hosted the Opening Ceremony on 15 Oct 26, bringing together personnel from #INSSahyadri and the Russian Navy in a shared commitment to maritime cooperation. The programme also featured cross-deck visits and a protocol meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Vladivostok.”
The harbor phase began with a planning conference involving the operational teams of INS Sahyadri and the Russian Navy ship Aldar Tsydenzhapov. Senior naval personnel from the Russian Federation Navy’s Pacific Fleet also participated. The conference outlined the broad program for the sea phase of the exercise.
As part of the port call, the delegation from INS Sahyadri also held a protocol meeting with Vice Adm. A. Y. Sysuev, commander of the Primorsky Flotilla of the Pacific Fleet’s mixed forces. The program also included a protocol meeting with the deputy mayor of Vladivostok.
INS Sahyadri arrived in Vladivostok on Saturday to participate in Exercise INDRA 2026, a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy scheduled for October 13–18.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the deployment provides opportunities for professional engagement and operational interaction between the two navies, furthering maritime cooperation and interoperability.
INS Sahyadri’s participation aligns with the Indian government’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and builds on the longstanding defense and maritime partnership between India and Russia.
Exercise INDRA 2026 includes engagements during the harbor phase, followed by coordinated operational activities at sea. The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding, operational coordination and interoperability between the participating navies.
In addition to operational engagements, social and cultural interactions will give personnel from both navies opportunities to interact, foster camaraderie and strengthen people-to-people connections. (ANI)
About The Author
