INS Sudarshini's Mindelo port call marks milestone in Navy's Bridges of Friendship
Synopsis
INS Sudarshini's four-day stop at Mindelo, Cape Verde, was far more than a routine port call — it featured live damage-control drills on a Cabo Verdean patrol vessel, a joint Yoga session, and high-level coast guard meetings, all under the Indian Navy's Bridges of Friendship banner. The ship now faces its longest leg yet: a trans-Atlantic crossing to Antigua.
Key Takeaways
INS Sudarshini completed a four-day port call at Mindelo, Cape Verde , on 8 May 2025 as part of Lokayan 26 .
The Indian Navy conducted Damage Control and Seamanship drills onboard the Cabo Verdean patrol vessel Guardiao .
The Commanding Officer met Cabo Verde Coast Guard Commander Capitao-de-Navio Kahbi Yassine Fonseca Pereira Batista to discuss maritime security cooperation.
INS Sudarshini sailed from Kochi in January 2025 and has covered stops in Oman, Egypt, Malta, France , and Morocco .
The ship is designed to cover 22,000 nautical miles in total; the next destination is Antigua via a trans-Atlantic crossing.
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini completed a four-day port call at Mindelo, Cape Verde, on 8 May 2025, as part of her ongoing expedition Lokayan 26. The Ministry of Defence on Sunday described the stopover as a key milestone under the Navy's Bridges of Friendship initiative, reaffirming India's commitment to maritime outreach and enduring partnerships with friendly nations.
Key Engagements at Mindelo
During the stopover, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini called on Capitao-de-Navio Kahbi Yassine Fonseca Pereira Batista, Commander of the Cabo Verde Coast Guard, at the Coast Guard Command. Discussions centred on shared interests in maritime security and avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
A significant training highlight saw the Indian Navy conducting Damage Control and Seamanship drills onboard the Cabo Verdean patrol vessel Guardiao. A delegation from the Cabo Verde Army also embarked on INS Sudarshini for a guided tour and an overview of the ship's sail training capabilities.
Cultural Exchange and Diplomatic Outreach
A joint Yoga session was organised with personnel from the Cabo Verde Coast Guard and officials from the Indian Embassy, symbolising the warm people-to-people bond between the two countries. An onboard reception hosted by the ship brought together senior military officers, government dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic community, fostering goodwill and camaraderie, the Ministry noted.
The Lokayan 26 Expedition
INS Sudarshini sailed from Kochi in January 2025 and has since made port calls in Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco, spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family. The vessel, designed by a UK naval architect and built in Goa, is designed to cover a total distance of 22,000 nautical miles. The expedition serves a dual purpose: the sailing training of Indian Navy cadets and the promotion of maritime goodwill across the globe.
What Comes Next
INS Sudarshini now sets sail towards Antigua for the next phase of her deployment — a crucial trans-Atlantic passage that will be the longest single leg of the entire voyage. The Mindelo stopover reinforces India's growing maritime diplomacy footprint across the Atlantic, building on a pattern of naval engagement that extends well beyond the Indian Ocean Region.
Point of View
Moving beyond ceremonial port calls. As India's maritime interests extend into the Atlantic, these 'Bridges of Friendship' stopovers are laying groundwork for future basing access, information-sharing, and training partnerships in a region where China has also been expanding its naval footprint. The trans-Atlantic leg to Antigua will be a test of both the ship's endurance and India's ambition to be taken seriously as a global maritime power.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INS Sudarshini's Lokayan 26 expedition?
Lokayan 26 is an ongoing Indian Navy sail training expedition aboard INS Sudarshini, which departed Kochi in January 2025 with a planned distance of 22,000 nautical miles. The voyage aims to train Indian Navy cadets while promoting maritime goodwill across the world.
What happened during INS Sudarshini's port call at Mindelo, Cape Verde?
During the four-day stopover from 8 May 2025, the Indian Navy conducted Damage Control and Seamanship drills on the Cabo Verdean patrol vessel Guardiao, held meetings with the Cabo Verde Coast Guard Commander, organised a joint Yoga session, and hosted a diplomatic reception onboard.
What is the Indian Navy's Bridges of Friendship initiative?
Bridges of Friendship is an Indian Navy initiative aimed at strengthening maritime ties and goodwill with friendly nations through ship visits, professional exchanges, cultural engagements, and joint training activities during overseas deployments.
Where is INS Sudarshini headed next?
INS Sudarshini is now sailing towards Antigua for the next phase of Lokayan 26. This trans-Atlantic passage is expected to be the longest single leg of the entire voyage.
Which countries has INS Sudarshini visited on Lokayan 26?
Since departing Kochi in January 2025, INS Sudarshini has made port calls in Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, Morocco, and Cape Verde, with Antigua next on the itinerary.
