**Summary:**
On September 1, 2025, the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS), consisting of INS Tir, INS Shardul, and CGS Sarathi, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles, as part of a long-range training deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region (SW IOR). The visit, marked by a ceremonial welcome from the Seychelles Defence Force (SDF) band and a reciprocal display by the Indian Navy's ceremonial Guard and Band, underscores the strong maritime ties between India and Seychelles. Senior Officer 1TS, Capt Tijo K Joseph, is scheduled to meet with key officials from the Seychelles government, senior SDF officers, and representatives from the Indian High Commission. The agenda includes professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and training interactions with SDF personnel. Furthermore, cultural exchanges and community engagement initiatives are planned, such as yoga sessions, Naval Band performances, sports fixtures, and social outreach programs. This deployment marks the third port call by Indian Navy ships to Seychelles in 2025, highlighting the Indian Navy's commitment to bilateral engagement and maritime partnership within the framework of MAHASAGAR in the IOR. This information was released by PIB Delhi on September 2, 2025, at 4:55 PM (Release ID: 2163083).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
First Training Squadron (1TS): A training squadron of the Indian Navy.
Port Victoria, Seychelles: The port in Seychelles where the First Training Squadron arrived.
Indian Navy: The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
Seychelles Defence Force (SDF): The military force of Seychelles.
Capt Tijo K Joseph: Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron (1TS).
MAHASAGAR: A vision for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
INS Tir: One of the ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy.
Ministry of Defence
FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON ARRIVES AT PORT
VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES
The visit is part of long-range training deployment in
the SW IOR
Posted On: 02 SEP 2025 4:55PM by PIB Delhi
Building ‘Bridges of Friendship’, whilst training young minds, the ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS)
of the Indian Navy comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, and CGS Sarathi, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles
on 01 Sep 2025. 1TS is presently on long-range training deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region.
The arrival at port was marked with a ceremonial welcome by the Seychelles Defence Force (SDF) band,
emphasising strong maritime ties between the two nations. The Indian Navy's ceremonial Guard and Band
were paraded onboard 1TS with equal solidarity.
During the visit, Senior Officer 1TS Capt Tijo K Joseph is scheduled to call on important dignitaries in the
Ministry of Seychelles Govt, senior officers of SDF and Indian High Commission. During the port call,
professional exchanges, cross deck visits, and training interactions with SDF personnel are planned. As part of
cultural exchanges and community engagement, yoga sessions, Naval Band performance, sports fixtures, and
social outreach programs are scheduled.
The deployment of 1TS to Seychelles is the third port call of Indian Navy ships to Seychelles in 2025.
This highlights the Indian Navy's robust bilateral engagement and maritime partnership aligned with the
broader vision of MAHASAGAR in IOR.******
VM/SPS
(Release ID: 2163083)