INS Trishul Calls at Souda Bay, Greece on Mediterranean Tour

An Indian warship is in Greek waters. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trishul reached Souda Bay in Greece on 31 October 2026 while on a continuing deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. Port calls of this kind are how navies that operate far from home build working ties with the navies of the region they are passing through.

What the crew will do ashore

While the ship is alongside, its crew is to take part in a set of engagements meant to carry maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy, the navy of Greece, a step further. These include meetings with senior functionaries of the Hellenic Navy and with officials of the Indian Embassy in Athens, discussions on professional matters, visits by the two sides to each other's ships, and cultural programmes.

Two facilities at Souda Bay

The crew is also to be shown around the facilities of two establishments at the port. The first is the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay. The second is the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), the training centre run at Souda Bay for maritime interdiction operations. Familiarisation visits of this sort let visiting crews see how a partner navy and a multinational organisation organise training and shore support.

Homage and an open ship

The ship's company is to pay homage at the Souda Bay War Cemetery. For the duration of the call the vessel will stay open to visitors, which gives local residents a chance to step aboard an Indian warship.

Why the call matters

The stated purpose of the visit is to deepen maritime cooperation and to make the professional links between the Indian Navy and the navy of Greece stronger. For an aspirant, the points to hold on to are the name of the ship, the port and the country, the sea in which the deployment is running, the partner navy, and the two establishments at Souda Bay whose facilities the crew is to see. Questions on naval diplomacy usually turn on exactly these details rather than on the wording of the announcement.