Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, departed Port Victoria on March 20, 2026, after completing an enriching port call in Seychelles.
During the visit, Captain Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer of Trikand, held meetings with senior government functionaries and the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. The ship also handed over critical spares and essential stores to the Government of Seychelles, strengthening bilateral ties.
INS Trikand participated in the maiden tri-services edition of Exercise Lamitiye 2026, conducted jointly with the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). This marked the Indian Navy’s first participation in Exercise Lamitiye.
The harbour phase of the exercise included Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training and joint boarding drills. The sea phase saw Trikand operating alongside SCGS Le Vigilant, with Indian Navy Marine Commandos and SDF Special Forces undertaking joint boarding operations at sea. The exercise further included the landing of Indian Army and SDF troops on Praslin Island. Maj Gen Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, SDF, Brig Jean Attala, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, and other senior officers embarked on Trikand to witness the exercises.
Exercise Lamitiye, which means ‘friendship’ in Creole, provided a platform to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Seychelles. The port call also reflects India’s vision of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region – and underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to remain the preferred security partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
