INS Trishul concludes its port call at Safaga Naval Base in Egypt, strengthening India-Egypt defence and maritime cooperation through naval interactions, joint diving training and discussions on Red Sea security, regional stability and operational collaboration between the two navies.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trishul has successfully concluded its port call at Safaga Naval Base in Egypt as part of its ongoing operational deployment, further strengthening defence and maritime cooperation between India and Egypt, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
The visit highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with particular emphasis on maritime security, professional naval engagement and regional stability. The port call also provided an opportunity for personnel from both navies to exchange operational experiences, share best practices and explore avenues for closer cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the visit took place against the backdrop of the 11th India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting, held in Cairo in April 2026. The meeting provided an institutional framework for advancing defence cooperation commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation signed in September 2022.
The bilateral relationship between India and Egypt was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, reflecting the growing importance of cooperation across defence, security and other strategic sectors.
During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Trishul met Rear Admiral MD Abd El Maksoud, Commander of the Red Sea Naval Base, Egypt. The discussions focused on maritime security in the Gulf of Suez and the strategic importance of the Red Sea, a crucial maritime corridor connecting major international shipping routes.
The discussions provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange perspectives on maritime security challenges and explore areas of common interest. The Red Sea region holds considerable strategic importance for international trade and maritime connectivity, making cooperation between regional and partner navies significant for maintaining stability and safe navigation.
As part of the professional engagements, the crew of INS Trishul also visited Egyptian Naval Ship ENS Port Said (976). The visit offered Indian naval personnel an opportunity to gain insights into the operational capabilities of the Egyptian vessel and understand the professional practices and best practices followed by the Egyptian Navy.
The Ministry of Defence said that reciprocal interactions between personnel of the Indian and Egyptian navies formed an important part of the port call. Both sides participated in professional exchanges and joint diving training activities, strengthening operational understanding and cooperation.
“The visit further featured reciprocal interactions between personnel of the Indian and Egyptian navies, along with joint diving training activities. These professional engagements provided opportunities for exchange of operational experience, sharing of Best Practices and furthering mutual understanding between the two navies,” the Ministry of Defence stated.
The joint activities demonstrated the commitment of both navies to enhancing professional capabilities through practical training, knowledge-sharing and regular engagement. Such interactions also help naval personnel understand each other’s operational procedures and strengthen coordination during potential maritime security operations.
The port call reaffirmed the longstanding defence relationship between India and Egypt and their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability. It also reflected India’s continued efforts to strengthen naval partnerships with friendly countries through operational deployments and port visits.
Following the successful completion of its engagements at Safaga Naval Base, INS Trishul proceeded towards the next phase of its ongoing operational deployment.
Earlier, INS Trishul had concluded another important port call at Souda Bay in Greece as part of its deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen maritime engagement between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy through professional interactions, operational discussions and cultural engagements.
During its stay at Souda Bay, the Commanding Officer of INS Trishul held meetings with senior functionaries of the Hellenic Navy, along with the heads of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) and the US Naval Support Activity (NSA), Souda Bay.
The discussions focused on operational logistics requirements, cooperation and mutual support among partner navies. Both sides exchanged views on areas of common interest and explored opportunities to facilitate operational support and strengthen naval collaboration.
Professional engagements between Indian and Hellenic naval personnel also included reciprocal ship visits and interactions. Personnel of the Hellenic Navy visited INS Trishul and received an overview of the warship’s capabilities through an onboard tour.
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These engagements provided personnel from both navies with opportunities to understand each other’s professional practices, exchange operational experiences and strengthen mutual understanding.
The successive port calls in Greece and Egypt underline the Indian Navy’s continued focus on expanding international maritime partnerships and strengthening cooperation with friendly nations. Through professional exchanges, joint training and operational discussions, India aims to contribute to maritime security, regional stability and a cooperative maritime environment.
The successful completion of the Safaga visit further reinforces the India-Egypt Strategic Partnership and the growing importance of naval cooperation in addressing shared maritime interests.
