**Summary of INS Sharda’s Port Call to Colombo, Sri Lanka**
**Overview**
On June 13, 2026, the Indian Navy ship INS Sharda concluded a successful visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The mission was designed to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance interoperability, and foster friendship between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy.
**Key Activities and Engagements**
* **Capacity Building:** Sri Lankan Navy personnel participated in specialized training sessions hosted by the ship's crew, covering small arms handling, basic firefighting, first aid, and rescue procedures.
* **Professional and Social Exchange:** The visit featured professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and friendly sports fixtures between the two services.
* **High-Level Interactions:**
* RAdm Jagath Kumara, Commander Western Naval Area (Sri Lanka Navy), visited the ship to interact with the crew.
* The Commanding Officer of INS Sharda paid a courtesy call on Shri Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.
**Strategic Framework**
The visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to regional maritime security and cooperation. These initiatives align with the Indian government's vision of **MAHASAGAR** (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
**Administrative Details**
* **Departure Date:** June 13, 2026
* **Publication Date:** June 14, 2026, 3:30 PM (PIB Delhi)
* **Release ID:** 2272649
* **Reference Number:** VM/SPS 114/26
Key Entities Referenced
MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions): A strategic maritime vision for regional cooperation and security that provided the framework for the naval engagement.
INS Sharda: The Indian Navy ship that conducted the port call to strengthen bilateral ties and participate in capacity-building initiatives.
Sri Lankan Navy: The primary partner maritime force involved in professional exchanges, training exercises, and interoperability drills.
Colombo, Sri Lanka: The central location for the port call and maritime partnership activities between India and Sri Lanka.
Ministry of Defence
INS SHARDA CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL VISIT
TO COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
प्रव तथ: 14 JUN 2026 3:30PM by PIB Delhi
INS Sharda departed Colombo, Sri Lanka on 13 Jun 2026 after a successful port call that further
strengthened maritime cooperation and friendship between India and Sri Lanka. The visit featured a series
of professional, training, and sporting engagements with the Sri Lankan Navy.
As part of capacity-building initiatives, Sri Lankan Navy personnel participated in small arms handling,
basic firefighting, first aid, and rescue procedures. During the visit, RAdm Jagath Kumara, Commander
Western Naval Area, Sri Lanka Navy, visited the ship and interacted with the crew, reaffirming the strong
maritime partnership between the two nations.
Friendly sports fixtures, professional exchanges, and cross-deck visits further enhanced interoperability
and strengthened bonds between the two services.
During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Sharda paid a courtesy call on Shri Santosh Jha,
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.
The visit underscored the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and reaffirmed their
shared commitment to regional maritime cooperation and security in line with the vision of
MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)._____________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 114/26
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2272649) आगंतुक पटल : 907
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