INS Trikand Leads First Indian Navy Role in Exercise Lamitiye 2026, Boosting India‑Seychelles Ties

Overview The INS Trikand concluded a port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 20 March 2026 after participating in the inaugural tri‑services edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026 . The exercise marked the first time the Indian Navy took part in this bilateral drill, underscoring deepening maritime cooperation between the two island nations. Key Developments The ship’s Captain Sachin Kulkarni met senior Seychelles officials and the Indian High Commissioner, handing over critical spares and stores to the Seychelles government. During the harbour phase, VBSS training and joint boarding drills were conducted onboard. The sea phase featured joint operations with the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel SCGS Le Vigilant , including boarding actions by MARCOS and the SDF Special Forces. Indian Army and SDF troops conducted a coordinated landing on Praslin Island , observed by senior defence leaders including Maj Gen Michael Rosette , Chief of Defence Forces, SDF. Important Facts • The exercise involved all three Indian services – Navy, Army and Air Force – alongside the SDF . • The harbour phase focused on VBSS drills, while the sea phase emphasized joint boarding and amphibious landings. • The operation showcased India’s strategic outreach under the MAHASAGAR doctrine, positioning the Indian Navy as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region. UPSC Relevance • Maritime security and regional cooperation – The exercise illustrates India’s use of naval diplomacy to secure sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and counter non‑state threats, a recurring theme in GS 2 (International Relations). • Strategic doctrines – Understanding MAHASAGAR helps answer questions on India’s Indo‑Pacific strategy and its engagement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). • Joint operations and interoperability – The tri‑services nature of the drill highlights the importance of integrated defence planning, relevant for questions on defence procurement, jointness and force modernization. Way Forward India is likely to institutionalise the tri‑services format of Exercise Lamitiye , expanding its scope to include anti‑smuggling, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) scenarios. Continued capacity‑building assistance, such as transfer of spare parts and training, will deepen the strategic partnership and reinforce India’s role as a security guarantor in the western Indian Ocean.