**INS Sahyadri Arrives in South Korea for First-Ever Bilateral Naval Exercise with RoKN**
INS Sahyadri arrived at Busan Naval Harbour in South Korea to participate in the first-ever bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN), according to an official statement issued by the Defence PRO on Wednesday.
This visit is part of INS Sahyadri’s ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region, aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening maritime partnerships between the two nations.
The Republic of Korea Navy warmly welcomed the Indian warship, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and South Korea, especially within the naval domain.
**About INS Sahyadri**
INS Sahyadri is a stealth frigate built in India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and was commissioned in 2012. It forms part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, which is based in Visakhapatnam. The ship has actively participated in various international naval exercises, showcasing India’s maritime capabilities.
**Exercise Details**
During its stay in Busan, the crew of INS Sahyadri will engage in both harbour and sea phases of the exercise. Activities during the harbour phase include cross-deck visits between the two navies, sharing best practices, joint training sessions, and friendly sports matches.
Additionally, the Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri will meet with senior RoKN officials and local dignitaries to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Following the harbour phase, INS Sahyadri and the South Korean ship ROKS Gyeongnam will proceed to sea for joint exercises focused on teamwork, coordination, and mutual learning between the two navies.
**Significance of the Exercise**
This exercise highlights the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region and reflects the shared commitment of India and South Korea to peace, security, and maritime cooperation.
The statement emphasized that the inaugural bilateral exercise is the result of several years of discussions and planning, marking a new chapter in defence relations between India and South Korea.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/indian-and-south-korean-navies-begin-first-ever-bilateral-naval-exercise-ins-sahyadri-joins-23598869