INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS TAMAL AND SURAT DEPART JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

IN NEWS – Indian Naval Ships Tamal and Surat Depart Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Analysis

• Indian Naval Ships (INS) Tamal and INS Surat concluded their port call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 30 August 2025, marking another milestone in India–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation.
• The deployment reflects the Indian Navy’s focus on strengthening partnerships in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea region, both strategically important maritime zones.
• The ships conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) Corvette HMS Jazan, enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.

Key Engagements and Interactions

• During the port call:
  • Extensive engagement took place between the Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force as well as the Saudi Border Guard through sports fixtures and personnel interactions.
  • The ships hosted H.E. Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, onboard on 28 August 2025, highlighting diplomatic outreach at the defence level.
  • The Commanding Officers of INS Tamal and INS Suratheld formal meetings with:
    • Rear Admiral Mansour Bin Saud Al-Juaid, Western Fleet Commander of RSNF.
    • Maj Gen Fahad Bin Majid Al-Duajani, Commander of the Royal Saudi Border Guard in the Mecca Region.

Strategic Discussions

• Both sides exchanged views on non-traditional security challenges in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region, such as piracy, smuggling, maritime terrorism, and illegal trafficking.
• Emphasis was laid on the importance of joint operations, enhanced maritime domain awareness, and information sharing.

Cultural and Diplomatic Outreach

• INS Tamal hosted a cultural programme attended by senior Saudi officials, members of the Embassy of India (Riyadh), and the Indian diaspora, showcasing India’s cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties.
• The visit underlines India’s commitment to strengthening defence and maritime collaboration with Saudi Arabia, consistent with India’s broader “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” policy.

Static / Background Information

• INS Tamal:
  • A Fast Attack Craft of the Indian Navy, part of the Car Nicobar-class, designed for coastal defence and patrol duties.
• INS Surat:
  • A Visakhapatnam-class guided missile destroyer, indigenously built under Project 15B, enhancing India’s blue-water operational capability.
• Passage Exercise (PASSEX):
  • A short naval exercise conducted between two navies when ships are deployed in proximity, aimed at improving coordination, communication, and interoperability at sea.
• India–Saudi Arabia Defence Cooperation:
  • Part of the growing strategic and security partnership between New Delhi and Riyadh.
  • Includes regular naval interactions, bilateral visits, and training exchanges, reflecting shared interests in maritime security and stability in the Gulf and Indian Ocean Region.

Updated – 01 Sep 2025 ; 5:32 PM | PIB