The Ministry of Defence announced that three Indian Navy ships – INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti – completed a three‑day port call at Changi Naval Base on 2026. The visit was led by Rear Admiral Alok Anand. It was part of the Indian Navy’s operational deployment and aligns with the Act East Policy and the ASEAN‑India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
Key Developments
- Cross‑deck visits between Indian and Singaporean ships to improve interoperability and tactical coordination.
- School students toured INS Kavaratti, gaining exposure to naval life and maritime values.
- Professional interactions covered operational procedures, safety protocols and humanitarian assistance drills.
Important Facts
The three ships belong to the Eastern Fleet. Their presence in Singapore underscores India’s intent to maintain a stable maritime environment in the Indo‑Pacific. The visit lasted three days and concluded without any incidents.
Exam Relevance
For GS II (International Relations) and GS III (Security), the visit illustrates how India uses naval diplomacy to project power, secure sea lanes and support the Act East Policy. It also reflects the importance of maritime cooperation in safeguarding trade routes that carry a significant share of India’s imports and exports.
Way Forward
Continued naval engagements with Singapore and other ASEAN members are expected. Future steps may include joint exercises, information sharing on maritime domain awareness, and expanded people‑to‑people contacts through school visits. Strengthening interoperability will enhance India’s ability to respond to regional crises, natural disasters and security threats.