Indian Navy's First Training Squadron Arrives in Maldives
INS Tir, INS Sujata and Coast Guard Ship Sarathi of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron reached Male on 21 October 2026 on a long range deployment.
Why in News
On 21 October 2026 the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, made up of INS Tir, INS Sujata and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, arrived off Male in the Maldives on a Long Range Training Deployment, and the Ministry of Defence announced the visit on 22 October 2026.
Three ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS) reached the Maldives on 21 October 2026 as part of the Squadron's Long Range Training Deployment. The Ministry of Defence announced the port call on 22 October 2026.
The ships in the squadron
The squadron that arrived off Male, the capital of the Maldives, was made up of:
- INS Tir
- INS Sujata
- Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) gave the ships a warm welcome, which the Ministry of Defence described as a reflection of the strong maritime partnership and the close regional ties between the two countries.
The calls and the training exchange
During the port call the Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron called on the Chief of Defence Force, MNDF, and on the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard. Their discussions turned on sustained engagement and on maritime collaboration of several kinds between the Indian Navy and the MNDF. The Senior Officer also called on G. Balasubramaniam, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. As part of the training exchanges, trainees from the squadron visited the Girifushi Training Centre.
What else is planned
Cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, social interactions and outreach activities were also planned for the duration of the visit, so that personnel of the two forces build camaraderie and mutual understanding.
The MAHASAGAR frame
The Ministry of Defence placed the visit within the vision of MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The deployment, it said, reaffirms the interoperability of the Indian Navy and the MNDF and underlines the growing maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives. For an aspirant, the facts that matter are the name of the squadron, the three ships, the host force, the date of arrival and the full form of MAHASAGAR, which is the frame the Ministry of Defence uses for India's security and growth engagement with partners in the region.
Important Facts
| Squadron | First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy |
|---|---|
| Ships | INS Tir, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi |
| Port of call | Male, Maldives, arrived 21 October 2026 |
| Host force | Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) |
| Training visit | Girifushi Training Centre |
| High Commissioner of India | G. Balasubramaniam |
| Vision | MAHASAGAR, Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions |
Exam Point of View
Remember the squadron's name and abbreviation, First Training Squadron or 1TS, its three ships INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, the host force MNDF, the Girifushi Training Centre, India's High Commissioner G. Balasubramaniam and the full form of MAHASAGAR, Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Practice Questions
Which of the following was part of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron that arrived in the Maldives in October 2026?
- A.INS Vikrant
- B.INS Sujata
- C.INS Vikramaditya
- D.INS Arihant
Show answer
The First Training Squadron that arrived off Male consisted of INS Tir, INS Sujata and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, and the three reached the Maldives on 21 October 2026 on a Long Range Training Deployment.
Read the full explanation →MAHASAGAR, the vision mentioned in connection with the First Training Squadron's visit to the Maldives, stands for which of the following?
- A.Maritime Alliance for Harmony, Security and Growth Across Regions
- B.Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
- C.Mission for Advancement of Shared Growth and Regional Security
- D.Maritime Highway for Safety, Growth and Regional Stability
Show answer
The Ministry of Defence used exactly this expansion while placing the squadron's Maldives port call within India's maritime outreach, saying the visit underscored growing maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Read the full explanation →The trainees of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron visited which training centre during the Maldives port call?
- A.Girifushi Training Centre
- B.Hulhumale Naval Academy
- C.Addu Maritime Training School
- D.Kadhdhoo Defence Institute
Show answer
As part of the training exchanges arranged during the port call, trainees of the First Training Squadron visited this centre, while the Senior Officer of the squadron called on the Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force, on the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard and on…
Read the full explanation →Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron visited the Maldives?
INS Tir, INS Sujata and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi. They arrived off Male on 21 October 2026 as part of the Squadron's Long Range Training Deployment.
What is the full form of MAHASAGAR?
Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The Ministry of Defence said the squadron's visit to the Maldives was in line with this vision.
Which training centre did the Indian trainees visit in the Maldives?
The Girifushi Training Centre. The visit was part of the training exchanges arranged during the First Training Squadron's port call.
Sources
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2326662 (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
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