India, South Korea Launch First Navy Bilateral Exercise

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri made port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, on 13 October 2025. This visit marked the maiden bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The event marks the growing strategic partnership and naval cooperation between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

INS Sahyadri – A Symbol of Indigenous Strength

INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate. It was designed and constructed indigenously in India and commissioned in 2012. The ship represents India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision of self-reliance. It operates under the Eastern Naval Command and is based at Visakhapatnam. The vessel has participated in numerous bilateral and multilateral naval exercises and operational deployments, showcasing India’s growing maritime capabilities.

Significance of the IN-RoKN Bilateral Exercise

The bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy is the first of its kind. It includes harbour and sea phases. During the harbour phase, naval officials engage in cross-deck visits, share best practices, conduct cross-training, and hold sports fixtures. Senior officers meet local dignitaries and RoKN officials. The sea phase involves joint manoeuvres between INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam. This exercise strengthens interoperability and mutual trust.

Strategic Importance of Indo-Pacific Cooperation

The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly vital in global geopolitics. Both India and South Korea recognise the need for strong maritime partnerships. Their cooperation reflects shared interests in maintaining regional security and freedom of navigation. The naval engagement is a response to evolving security challenges and a commitment to a rules-based maritime order.

India’s Role as a Maritime Security Partner

INS Sahyadri’s deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific signals India’s role as a responsible maritime stakeholder. India aims to be a preferred security partner in the region. The ongoing exercises and naval diplomacy efforts demonstrate India’s intent to encourage stability and cooperation in critical sea lanes.

Growing Navy-to-Navy Relations

The IN-RoKN interactions have expanded in recent years. Continuous dialogue and joint activities have laid the groundwork for this inaugural exercise. The partnership extends beyond military cooperation to include strategic dialogue at governmental levels. This evolution reflects a broader trend of India strengthening ties with key Indo-Pacific nations.