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INS Trikand strengthens India-Italy defence ties with Taranto port call

From Egypt's war games to Italy's shores, INS Trikand's voyage maps India's growing naval influence. What's next for this strategic Mediterranean mission?

The image shows an open book with pictures of ships on it, placed on a surface. The book contains...
The image shows an open book with pictures of ships on it, placed on a surface. The book contains text and images of the ships, giving a glimpse into the history of the port.

INS Trikand strengthens India-Italy defence ties with Taranto port call

INS Trikand, an Indian Navy stealth frigate, recently docked in Taranto, Italy, as part of its Mediterranean deployment. The visit on September 28 followed the ship's participation in Exercise Bright Star 2025, a major multilateral drill held in Egypt. The port call aimed to deepen defence ties between India and Italy while reinforcing regional cooperation.

Before arriving in Italy, INS Trikand took part in Exercise Bright Star 2025 in Alexandria, Egypt, from September 1 to 10. The US Central Command-led exercise involved forces from eight nations, including India, Egypt, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy. The drills covered air, land, and maritime operations to boost security collaboration across the region.

During the exercise, senior military officials from India and Egypt held bilateral talks to strengthen people-to-people connections. These discussions focused on expanding defence partnerships and operational coordination.

In Taranto, Captain Sachin Kulkarni, the commanding officer of INS Trikand, met with Rear Admiral Andrea Petroni, head of the Italian Navy's Second Naval Division. The visit highlighted India's commitment to closer defence relations with Italy. The ship's crew also engaged in professional exchanges and cross-deck visits with Italian sailors, sharing best practices to improve interoperability.

The deployment aligns with India's broader goal of enhancing naval cooperation in the Mediterranean. Further port calls in the region are planned to reinforce these objectives.

INS Trikand's visit to Italy and its role in Exercise Bright Star 2025 mark key steps in India's defence engagement with Mediterranean nations. The ship's activities, including professional exchanges and high-level meetings, aim to strengthen interoperability and security partnerships. More port calls are expected as part of the ongoing deployment.

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