**Executive Summary**
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini has embarked on a ten-month-long transoceanic expedition, Lokayan 26, flagged off from Kochi on January 20, 2026. This global voyage showcases India's maritime heritage and aims to build bridges of cooperation and trust across the oceans. The ship will participate in various international events, including Escale à Sète in France (March-April 2026) and USA’s 250th Independence Day celebrations in New York (July 2026).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Voyage Details:**
* Lokayan 26 is a ten-month transoceanic expedition.
* Departure: Flaged off on January 20, 2026 from Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
* Objective: To showcase India's maritime endeavour.
* The voyage will cover approximately 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports in 13 countries.
* The ship is a 54-metre sail training vessel, equipped with 20 sails covering over 1,000 square metres.
* Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, it provides a platform for seamanship and navigation training.
* **International Participation:**
* INS Sudarshini will participate in Escale à Sète, France, in March–April 2026.
* The ship will represent India alongside other tall ships in the Mediterranean.
* It will also join the Sail 250 international flotilla in New York for USA's 250th Independence Day celebrations in July 2026.
* **Symbolism and Objectives:**
* The voyage symbolizes India's prominence in global maritime activities and commitment to professional training.
* The ship is seen as India's "Ambassador at Large," fostering "Bridges of Friendship" globally.
* The voyage embodies the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the vision of MAHASAGAR.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy & Naval Community:**
* **Impact:** The voyage highlights the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime excellence and international cooperation, showcasing seamanship and navigation skills.
* **Action Required:** Support the vessel and crew throughout the voyage, ensuring successful participation in scheduled events.
**Sea Trainees and Officer Cadets:**
* **Impact:** The voyage offers an unparalleled training platform for developing seamanship and navigation skills.
* **Action Required:** Fully utilize the training opportunities provided during the voyage to enhance expertise in traditional sailing methods.
**India (Nation):**
* **Impact:** The voyage promotes India's maritime heritage and its role in global maritime activities, strengthening international relations.
* **Action Required:** Recognize and celebrate the ship's accomplishments during the voyage as a symbol of India's maritime prowess.
Key Entities Referenced
INS Sudarshini: Indian Navy's sail training ship participating in the Lokayan 26 expedition.
Lokayan 26: A ten-month long transoceanic sailing expedition led by INS Sudarshini.
Southern Naval Command, Kochi: The naval command from where the Lokayan 26 expedition was flagged off.
Ministry of Defence: The ministry responsible for the Indian Navy and the Lokayan 26 expedition.
MAHASAGAR: The vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions which INS Sudarshini represents.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY'S SAIL TRAINING SHIP
SUDARSHINI SETS SAIL FOR LOKAYAN 26
Lokayan 26- Ten month long Transoceanic Expedition
Flagged off from Southern Naval Command, Kochi
INS Sudarshini embarks on a landmark Global voyage
showcasing India's Seafaring Heritage
Building Bridges of Cooperation and Trust Across the Oceans
with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and vision of
MAHASAGAR
प्रव तथ: 20 JAN 2026 6:37PM by PIB Delhi
Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, flagged off
INS Sudarshini from Naval Base, Kochi, on 20 Jan 2026, marking the commencement of Lokayan 26—a
long range sailing expedition. This landmark voyage serves as a powerful symbol of India's maritime
endeavour, showcasing nation's prominence in global maritime activities and Indian Navy's commitment
to professional training and excellence in ocean sailing expedition.
The Flag off ceremony was witnessed by senior officers, enthusiastic members of the Naval
community, school children along with the family members of the ship's crew and media personnel.
On this occasion, Lokayan 26 plaque was unveiled by FOC-in-C, South. During his interaction with the
crew, he underscored the ship’s pivotal role as India’s “Ambassador at Large.” He emphasised that the
voyage transcends oceans and borders, forging “Bridges of Friendship” across the globe. The traditional
send-off, saw the three-masted barque unfurl her sails to the stirring accompaniment of the Naval band.
During the ten month long deployment, INS Sudarshini will traverse approximately 22,000 nautical
miles, visiting 18 ports in 13 countries. One of the key highlights of the voyage is participation of the
ship in Escale à Sète, France. Making her debut at one of Europe’s premier maritime festivals in March–
April 2026, INS Sudarshini will represent India alongside renowned Tall ships in the Mediterranean.
Further, as part of USA's 250th Independence Day celebrations in July 2026, the ship will join a grand
international flotilla- Sail 250 at New York during the International Parade of Sails.
Built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sudarshini is a 54-metre sail training ship of the Indian
Navy equipped with 20 sails covering a sail area of more than 1,000 square metres. The vessel offers an
unparalleled platform for sea trainees and officer cadets to develop the timeless art of seamanship and
navigation guided by wind and waves.As INS Sudarshini sails along ancient trade routes and modern sea lanes, she carries the spirit
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam furthering the vision of MAHASAGAR ( Mutual and Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).______________________________________________________________
VM/SKY 13/26
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2216522) आगंतुक पटल : 286
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Malayalam