New Delhi: The Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Trishul made a port call at Alexandria, Egypt, from September 14 to 17 as part of its deployment. The visit combined naval cooperation with a tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the two World Wars, and a joint exercise with the Egyptian Navy.
INS Trishul received a warm welcome on arrival at Alexandria Harbour, with the Egyptian naval vessel Al Qadeer escorting the Indian warship into the harbour. The port call allowed the two navies to interact and further build on their long-standing maritime ties.
As part of the visit, the commanding officer and crew of INS Trishul paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Chatby War Memorial. The memorial contains 12 burials and bears the names of 19 Indian soldiers who died aboard ships sunk in the eastern Mediterranean during the two World Wars.
The tribute highlighted the historical connection between Indian soldiers and the Mediterranean region during the two global conflicts. It also formed an important part of the Indian Navy’s engagement in Egypt during the port visit.
India’s ambassador to Egypt, Suresh K Reddy, visited INS Trishul and interacted with the ship’s crew. During the interaction, he highlighted the importance of the Indian Navy’s presence in the region and its role in strengthening India’s maritime engagement with friendly countries.
The Indian warship also conducted a Passage Exercise (Passex) with the Egyptian navy ship ENS Bernees. In a Passex, ships from two navies operate together at sea and practise manoeuvring, communication and other procedures, so that their crews can coordinate more effectively during maritime operations.
The exercise involved coordinated manoeuvring and communication drills, allowing the crews of both ships to practise moving and communicating with each other at sea. It also included approaches for replenishment at sea, where one ship practises moving close to another to receive supplies while both remain under way.
The drills involved personnel from both navies and gave them an opportunity to exchange professional expertise and become familiar with each other’s operating procedures. Such exercises also help improve interoperability, allowing the two navies to coordinate more smoothly when operating together.
The Alexandria port call and the Passex reaffirmed the long-standing relationship between the two navies. The engagement further strengthens maritime cooperation between the two friendly countries and adds to their ongoing naval exchanges and operational coordination.