Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Visits Mozambique to Mark 50-Year Ties

The First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy, comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, arrived at Maputo, Mozambique on 16 September 2025, marking a significant milestone in India-Mozambique relations. The squadron, commanded by Capt Tijo K Joseph, was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Mozambique Navy, accompanied by the Defence Advisor in Maputo.

The visit holds historic importance as it coincides with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mozambique (1975–2025), reflecting the deep-rooted partnership between the two nations in the spheres of defence, diplomacy, and maritime cooperation.

Joint Training and Naval Interactions

Over the course of the four-day visit, 1TS and the Mozambique Navy will conduct a range of joint training activities aimed at enhancing operational synergy and strengthening maritime security. These include:

• VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) Training to boost interoperability in counter-piracy and maritime security operations.

• Cross training sessions on navigation and communication protocols to align procedures between the two navies.

• Diving operations to improve collaborative underwater skills.

• Firefighting and damage control exercises designed to enhance emergency response capabilities at sea.

Additionally, trainees from 1TS are scheduled to visit training units of the Mozambique Defence Forces, allowing deeper engagement and mutual learning. The visit will culminate in a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) at sea, along with a joint surveillance operation of Mozambique’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), underscoring the shared commitment to regional maritime security.

Diplomatic and Cultural Engagements

Beyond naval cooperation, the visit also emphasizes the broader people-to-people and cultural connections between India and Mozambique. Senior officers of the squadron, along with commanding officers of the visiting ships, will pay courtesy calls to:

• The Chief of Mozambique Navy

• The Mayor of Maputo

• The Indian High Commissioner

Socio-cultural engagements will also form an integral part of the visit. Planned activities include:

• Yoga sessions promoting wellness and cultural diplomacy.

• Community outreach programmes to strengthen local ties.

• Medical camps offering healthcare support to communities.

• School visits where children will interact with naval personnel.

• Friendly sports fixtures fostering camaraderie and mutual goodwill.

Significance of Maritime Cooperation

India and Mozambique share long-standing maritime ties, with the Indian Ocean serving as a bridge of cultural, commercial, and strategic cooperation for centuries. The visit of 1TS highlights India’s commitment to its vision of MAHASAGAR (Maritime Neighbourhood Cooperation), which aims to strengthen bridges of friendship across the ocean.

The engagement comes at a time when maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has assumed global importance due to challenges like piracy, illegal fishing, and trafficking. The joint activities are expected to not only enhance interoperability but also reaffirm both nations’ shared vision of a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain.

Looking Ahead

The presence of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron in Maputo reflects India’s larger outreach to Africa, where defence diplomacy and capacity-building form crucial elements of bilateral engagement. By combining naval training, humanitarian outreach, and cultural exchanges, the visit goes beyond military cooperation to strengthen holistic bilateral relations.

As India and Mozambique celebrate five decades of diplomatic partnership, the visit of 1TS stands as a testament to their growing maritime collaboration, shared democratic values, and mutual aspiration to build enduring “bridges of friendship” across the Indian Ocean.