Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded its three-day port call at Lisbon, Portugal, on August 25 as part of the ongoing Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini held meetings with Rear Admiral Miguel Bessa Pacheco, Commandant of the Portuguese Naval Academy, and Rear Admiral Joao Paulo Silva Pereira, Deputy Fleet Commander of the Portuguese Navy.
The engagements focused on strengthening institutional ties and enhancing mutual understanding between the Indian and Portuguese navies.
As part of the professional engagements, Indian Navy sea trainees visited the Portuguese Naval Academy, or Escola Naval, where they interacted with Portuguese counterparts and toured the historic campus and training facilities. The trainees also exchanged views on seamanship and tall-ship sail training.
A deck reception was also hosted onboard INS Sudarshini, attended by senior Portuguese military officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Indian diaspora.
The Indian Navy’s visit to the Portuguese ports of Ponta Delgada and Lisbon highlights the longstanding maritime cooperation and partnership between India and Portugal, the ministry said.
