Four Indian Navy warships, INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan, wrapped up a successful port call in Singapore on Saturday, marking a key milestone in India-Singapore maritime cooperation. The visit, led by Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, included professional exchanges with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), academic engagements, and community outreach initiatives.
According to the Indian High Commission in Singapore, the four-day port call (July 16–19) featured extensive interactions aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding. “The deployment included professional exchanges with the RSN, interactions with academia, and several outreach activities,” the mission posted on X, wishing the naval contingent well for the remainder of their deployment.
A notable highlight of the visit was the Indian delegation’s engagement at Singapore’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC), where discussions focused on real-time maritime information sharing, coordinated surveillance, and multilateral efforts to boost domain awareness and collective security across the Indo-Pacific.
The port call is part of the Indian Navy Eastern Fleet’s operational deployment to Southeast Asia, aligned with India’s ‘Act East’ policy and its commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN countries. The visit reinforces India’s strategic focus on a rules-based maritime order and the freedom of navigation in international waters.
India and Singapore share over three decades of close naval collaboration, including joint exercises, regular port visits, exchange of best practices, and reciprocal training programmes. This longstanding cooperation underscores a shared vision for stability and security in the region.
The visit also coincided with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s high-level official trip to Singapore earlier in the week, where he held strategic discussions with the country’s leadership on regional security, trade, and technological collaboration.
Describing India-Singapore ties as a “model partnership,” Jaishankar emphasized their shared interests in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting growing convergence in defence, digital economy, cybersecurity, and resilient supply chains.
As geopolitical dynamics evolve, India and Singapore continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, reinforcing their roles as pillars of peace and multilateral engagement in the region.
