Indian Navy Deepens Maritime Ties with Mozambique During First Training Squadron’s Port Visit to Maputo.
Maputo, Mozambique / New Delhi:
In a significant step towards bolstering maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) concluded a successful four-day port visit to Maputo, Mozambique, from 16 to 19 September 2025. The visit, involving INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, showcased India’s growing defence ties with Mozambique and reinforced the country’s broader MAHASAGAR maritime vision.
Strengthening Operational Interoperability
During the deployment, 1TS and the Mozambique Navy conducted a series of joint training exercises aimed at enhancing operational coordination and mutual understanding. These included:
- Joint Diving Operations
- Firefighting and Damage Control Drills
- Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Exercises
- Bridge and Machinery Control Integration Drills
Indian Navy trainees also undertook cross-training visits to key Mozambican defence institutions, including the Marine Commando School at Katembe, Sargent School at Boane, and the Army Practising School at Manhica. These exchanges fostered greater inter-service cooperation and shared learning experiences.
In addition, Mozambique Navy personnel embarked as sea riders aboard the Indian ships for joint surveillance of Mozambique’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), further enhancing regional maritime security collaboration.
High-Level Engagements Cement Defence Relations
Senior Officer of 1TS, Captain Tijo K Joseph, along with Commanding Officers of the visiting ships, held courtesy calls with several top-ranking Mozambican defence officials:
- Rear Admiral Eugenio Dias Da Silva Muatuca, Chief of the Mozambique Navy
- Major General Ezequiel Muianga, Inspector of Mozambique Armed Forces (FADM)
- Colonel Candido Jose Tirano, Commandant of Maputo Air Force Base
These interactions underscored the strategic importance of the India-Mozambique defence partnership and the shared commitment to regional stability and capacity building.
Community Outreach and People-to-People Ties
Beyond defence engagements, the Indian Navy placed a strong emphasis on community outreach and humanitarian cooperation. Highlights included:
- Over 1,000 school children from Maputo visited the Indian Navy ships, gaining firsthand exposure to naval operations and maritime technology.
- A medical outreach camp was conducted at Naval Headquarters Mozambique and a local hospital in Maputo, providing care to over 100 patients.
- Health awareness sessions were organized on critical disease prevention, emergency medical response, and first aid.
- Joint Yoga sessions and a friendly futsal match between Indian and Mozambican naval personnel fostered deeper cultural and interpersonal bonds.
Looking Ahead: Shared Vision for Peace and Prosperity
As the First Training Squadron now sails onward to Mombasa, Kenya, the port call to Maputo leaves behind a strengthened partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and shared maritime interests. The visit aligns with India’s vision for peace, stability, and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region, where partnerships with African nations are seen as key pillars.
The Indian Navy’s visit to Mozambique is a testament to the enduring friendship and maritime solidarity between the two nations, reaffirming India’s role as a reliable security partner in Africa and beyond.
