The Indian Navy’s sail training vessel INS Sudarshini has left Lisbon, Portugal, after spending three days in the port. The ship is on a long-distance ocean voyage called Lokayan 26. During the stay, the Indian naval team met with senior Portuguese Navy officers and engaged in professional exchanges with the Portuguese Naval Academy.
What happened during the port call
INS Sudarshini concluded its three-day visit to Lisbon on 25 August 2026. The ship’s commanding officer held meetings with Rear Admiral Miguel Bessa Pacheco, who heads the Portuguese Naval Academy, and Rear Admiral Joao Paulo Silva Pereira, the Deputy Fleet Commander of the Portuguese Navy. These conversations aimed to strengthen the relationship between the two naval forces and build understanding between them.
Indian Navy sea trainees visited the Portuguese Naval Academy during the stop. The trainees toured the academy’s campus and training facilities, and held discussions with Portuguese naval cadets about sailing techniques and training methods for tall ships. A reception was also held onboard INS Sudarshini, attended by Portuguese military leaders, diplomats, and members of the Indian community living in Portugal.
Before Lisbon, INS Sudarshini had also docked at Ponta Delgada. Both port visits are part of the broader Lokayan 26 expedition, which involves sailing across oceans.
What this means for you
This visit demonstrates India’s commitment to building naval relationships with countries across the world. For young people interested in joining the Indian Navy or maritime careers, such expeditions show how the service engages with international partners and provides training opportunities. The exchanges between Indian and Portuguese cadets reflect how naval training today involves learning from other countries’ practices and building professional connections that may benefit India’s maritime interests in the future.