India’s maritime outreach received another boost as Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. The visit highlights India’s growing maritime engagement with Portugal while showcasing the country’s naval heritage, sailing expertise and commitment to international cooperation.
The three-masted barque made a ceremonial entry through the Tagus River, offering a striking demonstration of traditional sailing and seamanship. The Lisbon port call is the ship’s 15th port visit during seven months of its global voyage, underscoring the extensive international outreach being undertaken under Lokayan 26.
During its stay in Lisbon, INS Sudarshini’s crew and trainees are scheduled to participate in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural engagements with Portuguese naval leadership, local authorities and members of the Indian diaspora. These interactions are expected to strengthen professional understanding and reinforce the longstanding people-to-people and maritime links between India and Portugal.
The Lisbon visit also carries significance beyond naval engagement. Through its international port calls, INS Sudarshini is serving as an important platform for India’s maritime diplomacy, taking the message of friendship, cooperation and goodwill to partner nations. The expedition reflects the Indian Navy’s broader efforts to build stronger maritime relationships while promoting India’s seafaring traditions overseas.
Lokayan 26 is a ten-month transoceanic expedition that began in January 2026 from Kochi. The Indian Navy has planned for INS Sudarshini to cover approximately 22,000 nautical miles, visit 18 ports across 13 countries, and provide extensive practical sailing experience to Indian naval and Coast Guard trainees. The voyage is being conducted with the broader spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-the world is one family-and supports India’s maritime outreach and the MAHASAGAR vision.
The expedition is also designed to strengthen the professional development of trainees through exposure to long-range ocean navigation, traditional seamanship and interaction with personnel from foreign navies. The Indian Navy describes INS Sudarshini as an “Ambassador at Large”, reflecting the ship’s role in building bridges of friendship and cooperation across maritime regions.
Indigenously built by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sudarshini is a 54-metre sail training ship equipped with 20 sails covering more than 1,000 square metres. Its deployment combines naval training with maritime diplomacy, allowing India to showcase both its modern naval outlook and longstanding seafaring heritage.
The Lisbon port call follows INS Sudarshini’s recent engagement at Ponta Delgada in the Azores, where professional and cultural interactions further contributed to India-Portugal maritime cooperation. The ship also marked India’s 80th Independence Day overseas during its deployment, reflecting the diplomatic and symbolic importance of the expedition.
INS Sudarshini’s arrival in Lisbon therefore represents another important milestone in Lokayan 26. As the ship continues its global voyage, its combination of naval training, maritime heritage and international engagement is strengthening India’s presence across the oceans while deepening bonds with partner countries.