Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) commenced their first-ever bilateral exercise, marking a significant milestone in maritime cooperation between the two countries. Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri, part of India’s operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific, arrived at Busan Naval Harbour on October 13, 2025, to participate in the inaugural exercise.
RoKN extended a warm welcome, highlighting growing Navy-to-Navy interactions and the deepening strategic partnership between India and South Korea. INS Sahyadri, the third ship of the Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigates, commissioned in 2012, exemplifies India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Based in Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Fleet, the ship has actively participated in numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, as well as operational deployments.
Exercise is divided into harbour and sea phases. During the harbour phase, officials from both navies will conduct cross-deck visits, sharing of best practices, cross-training sessions, and sport fixtures, while senior officers engage with local dignitaries. The subsequent sea phase will see INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam undertake coordinated drills to enhance interoperability and operational readiness.
Strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, where both nations have recognised the value of building partnerships based on mutual interests. The inaugural IN-RoKN exercise culminates years of planning and discussions, reinforcing India’s role as a responsible maritime stakeholder and preferred security partner in the region.
