In a significant step towards strengthening regional maritime security and defense cooperation, the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) has embarked on a Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) across key Gulf nations, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This deployment marks an essential phase in India’s efforts to enhance naval interoperability, foster goodwill, and deepen strategic partnerships with its Gulf counterparts.
The deployment comes at a time of evolving security dynamics in the region, where maritime cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and ensuring the safety of international shipping lanes. By engaging in joint exercises, professional interactions, and cultural exchanges, the Indian Navy aims to reinforce India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security and diplomatic engagement with its strategic partners in the Persian Gulf.
Indian Naval Ships Arrive in Bahrain
On October 12, 2024, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tir and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Veera arrived at the Port of Manama in Bahrain. The visit aims to strengthen naval ties with the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces (RBNF) and foster collaboration in maritime security efforts. This deployment underscores India’s continued engagement with the Gulf region, which remains crucial for trade, energy security, and regional stability.
The arrival of the Indian naval vessels was marked by a series of professional and cultural engagements with Bahraini defense personnel. Among the scheduled activities are joint training sessions, cross-ship visits, yoga sessions, band concerts, friendly sports fixtures, and community welfare initiatives. These engagements are designed to promote camaraderie, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and enhance operational synergy between the two navies.
Additionally, the visit includes high-level interactions between naval commanders from both sides, focusing on sharing expertise in maritime operations and enhancing coordinated response mechanisms. One of the key aspects of the visit is the conduct of a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between the Indian and Bahraini naval forces. This exercise will focus on seamanship drills, communication procedures, and tactical maneuvers, ensuring greater interoperability between the two forces in real-world scenarios.
Bahrain, as home to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 46-nation naval partnership aimed at ensuring maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, holds strategic importance for India. As an Associate Partner of the CMF since 2022, India continues to strengthen its collaborative security efforts with international partners operating in the region. The Indian Navy’s engagement in Bahrain is a testament to this growing cooperation, reinforcing shared interests in maintaining open and secure sea lanes.
Strengthening Defense Ties with the UAE
Simultaneously, INS Shardul, another vessel from the First Training Squadron, entered Port Rashid in Dubai, UAE. The ship was warmly received by the Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India and officials from the UAE Navy. This visit underscores the robust maritime ties between India and the UAE, a relationship that has seen steady growth in recent years.
During its stay in Dubai, INS Shardul is participating in multiple training activities and harbor interactions with the UAE Navy. These engagements include professional discussions, cross-deck visits, and training exchanges, allowing personnel from both sides to gain insights into each other’s operational strategies. Additionally, the visit fosters people-to-people connections through cultural events and sports activities, strengthening the bond between the two nations.
India and the UAE share a strong history of defense cooperation, with frequent naval visits, military exercises, and high-level defense dialogues. This deployment further cements their collaboration in maritime security, counter-piracy efforts, and naval logistics. Given the UAE’s strategic location along major global trade routes, ensuring the security of these waters is vital for both nations.
Strategic Significance of the Deployment
The First Training Squadron’s visit to Bahrain and the UAE forms part of a broader deployment across the Gulf region, following prior port calls in Muscat, Oman, and Bandar Abbas, Iran. These visits are aimed at consolidating India’s maritime partnerships and engaging in comprehensive naval cooperation with regional stakeholders.
Earlier, during its stop in Muscat, the Indian Navy engaged with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) in professional exchanges, training sessions, and goodwill activities. This marked the third visit of the First Training Squadron to Oman in the past decade, reflecting the deep-rooted defense relationship between the two countries.
In Bandar Abbas, Iran, the squadron focused on fostering maritime understanding and cooperation between the Indian and Iranian navies. The visit featured professional exchanges, cross-training visits, friendly sports fixtures, and a Maritime Partnership Exercise conducted in the Strait of Hormuz—a key global chokepoint for energy transportation and international trade. Given the geostrategic importance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, such engagements are crucial in promoting regional stability and securing maritime trade routes.
Enhancing India’s Role in Maritime Security
The Indian Navy’s deployment comes at a time when maritime security concerns in the region are at an all-time high. Increased incidents of piracy, armed robberies at sea, and threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea have underscored the need for enhanced surveillance and coordinated response mechanisms.
Recognizing these challenges, India has significantly ramped up its maritime security efforts in the region. Since December 2023, the Indian Navy has maintained an augmented maritime presence, deploying approximately 12 warships to ensure the safety and security of merchant vessels transiting through these critical waters.
Additionally, India’s Mission-Based Deployments, which have been in effect since 2008, ensure a sustained naval presence across key maritime areas. These deployments enable the Indian Navy to respond swiftly to emerging security threats while fostering cooperative engagements with regional and global maritime forces.
The Long Range Training Deployment of the First Training Squadron aligns with this strategic vision, reinforcing India’s commitment to being a responsible maritime power. By enhancing its naval footprint in the Gulf region, India is not only safeguarding its own interests but also contributing to global maritime security.
Conclusion
The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron’s visits to Bahrain and the UAE highlight the growing importance of maritime diplomacy in India’s foreign policy. Through joint training exercises, professional exchanges, and cultural engagements, the deployment seeks to deepen defense cooperation, build trust, and enhance interoperability with Gulf nations.
As India’s economic and security interests are increasingly linked to the stability of the Indo-Pacific and Gulf regions, such engagements play a critical role in strengthening international partnerships. The deployment is a strong testament to India’s commitment to fostering peace, security, and cooperation in the maritime domain.
Going forward, the Indian Navy is expected to continue expanding its presence in strategic waters, engaging with regional allies, and reinforcing its position as a key player in ensuring maritime security. By leveraging naval diplomacy, India not only safeguards its own maritime interests but also contributes to regional stability, ensuring open and secure sea lanes for global trade and commerce.
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