New Delhi, 21 October (H.S.): The maritime exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa has concluded in Simon’s Town, South Africa. The exercise brought together the three navies for professional interactions and a broad range of maritime engagements, with the aim of enhancing interoperability, strengthening operational cooperation and fostering greater mutual understanding among the three maritime forces.

The ten-day exercise in Simon’s Town concluded with the completion of its harbour and sea phases. Naval personnel from the participating countries took part in professional exchanges, operational discussions and joint training activities, gaining insights into one another’s procedures, capabilities and operational practices. These engagements helped build familiarity and trust among the participating navies, enabling them to work together more effectively in the maritime domain.

Addressing the gathering at the closing ceremony, the commanding officer of the Indian Navy’s warship INS Tarkash highlighted that such maritime exercises provide an important platform for translating longstanding diplomatic relations into naval cooperation. He emphasised that the true strength of these exercises lies not only in conducting joint activities at sea but also in building personal relationships through shared experiences, professional exchanges and mutual learning.

He said the exercise reflected the enduring maritime partnership among India, Brazil and South Africa. Spread across three continents and closely connected to the maritime domain, the three countries share a common interest in maintaining safe, secure and stable seas. The trilateral exercise provides their navies with an opportunity to address common maritime challenges, exchange best practices and strengthen their ability to operate together, thereby contributing to a peaceful maritime environment.

The exercise also reaffirmed the importance of cooperation at sea, demonstrating how interoperability can be developed through sustained engagement, shared training and a common understanding of maritime operations. The professional relationships established among the crews of the participating ships are expected to endure beyond the exercise, strengthening institutional ties and laying the groundwork for future cooperation.

The successful conclusion of the exercise underscored the shared commitment of India, Brazil and South Africa to deepening maritime cooperation and enhancing interoperability in support of open seas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar