**Summary of INS Sudarshini’s Visit to Las Palmas, Spain**
On April 23, 2026, the Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship, INS Sudarshini, arrived at Las Palmas, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian naval vessel to the Canary Islands archipelago. This port call is part of the ship’s ongoing transoceanic deployment, titled "Lokayan 26," and serves as a strategic preparation point before a trans-Atlantic passage.
**Key Deployment Details:**
* **Mission:** Lokayan 26, aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and spreading the message of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The World is One Family).
* **Timeline:** The vessel departed from Kochi in January 2026.
* **Previous Port Calls:** Prior to arriving in Spain, the ship visited Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco.
* **Objectives:** The visit includes professional interactions between the Commanding Officer and Spanish Naval authorities, alongside public tours for the local Spanish community and the Indian diaspora to enhance people-to-people ties.
**Future Operations:**
Following the stay in Las Palmas, INS Sudarshini will embark on a long trans-Atlantic crossing to the United States. The ship is scheduled to participate in "Sail 250" commemorative events across various U.S. ports as part of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations.
**Administrative Information:**
* **Source:** Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi, Ministry of Defence.
* **Release Date:** April 24, 2026, 3:01 PM.
* **Release ID:** 2255252.
* **Visitor Counter:** 2383.
Key Entities Referenced
Las Palmas, Canary Islands (Spain): The central location marking the historic first visit of an Indian naval ship to the archipelago.
INS Sudarshini: The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship currently undertaking a transoceanic deployment and its maiden visit to the Canary Islands.
Lokayan 26: The transoceanic deployment initiative under which INS Sudarshini is currently operating.
Sail 250: A series of commemorative events across United States ports celebrating its 250th Independence Day, which the ship is scheduled to participate in.
Ministry of Defence
IN A HISTORIC FIRST, INS SUDARSHINI
ARRIVES AT LAS PALMAS, SPAIN
Maiden visit of an Indian Naval Ship to the Canary Islands
archipelago
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 3:01PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Las Palmas on 23 Apr 2026, as part of
her ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26. The port call to the Canary Islands
archipelago is significant as it marks the maiden visit of an Indian naval ship to the archipelago. The
stopover serves as a strategic pause before the ship embarks on her ambitious trans-Atlantic passage.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini is scheduled to hold professional interactions
with Spanish Naval authorities. Strengthening people-to-people ties, the ship will also be open to visitors
for the local Spanish community and the Indian diaspora.
The visit underscores growing maritime cooperation and engagement between the Indian Navy and the
Spanish Navy.
Having sailed from Kochi in Jan 2026, INS Sudarshini has undertaken port calls in Oman, Egypt, Malta, F
rance, and Morocco, spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Looking ahead, the ship will undertake a long trans-Atlantic passage with planned participation in
Sail 250 commemorative events across various ports in the United States as part of the United States’
250th Independence Day celebrations.*****
VM/SPS
(Release ID: 2255252) Visitor Counter : 2383
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