INS Sahyadri’s Port Call in Malaysia: Strengthening India-Malaysia Maritime Cooperation

Context and Overview

• On 2 October 2025, the Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth frigate INS Sahyadri made a port call at Kemaman port, Malaysia, as part of the Eastern Fleet Operational Deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific.

• The visit was welcomed by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and underscores longstanding cultural, social, and maritime ties between India and Malaysia.

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About INS Sahyadri

• Class & Design: Third ship of the Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigates, indigenously designed, constructed, and commissioned in 2012.

• Significance: A prime example of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, reflecting India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

• Operational Profile: Actively participates in bilateral & multilateral exercises, operational deployments, and goodwill missions.

• Previous Visits to Malaysia:

  • Port Klang (2016) – goodwill mission

  • Exercise Samudra Laksamana, Kota Kinabalu (2019) – joint naval exercise

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Objectives of the Port Call

1. Maritime Diplomacy: Strengthen India-Malaysia naval ties and celebrate shared maritime traditions.

2. Operational Cooperation: Enhance interoperability, professional exchanges, and sharing of best practices.

3. Cultural & Social Engagement:

   • Crew conducted yoga sessions and charity events.

   • Recreational visits by the crew helped people-to-people connect.

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Strategic and Regional Significance

1. Indo-Pacific Engagement:

   • Demonstrates India’s role as a responsible maritime stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific.

   • Supports MAHASAGAR initiative, enhancing India’s regional security presence.

2. India-Malaysia Maritime Partnership:

   • Alignment with ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) ensures mutual maritime security, trade protection, and naval synergy.

   • Strengthens cooperation in exercises like Samudra Laksamana, MILAN, and LIMA.

3. Defence Diplomacy:

   • Enhances professional military relations, cross-training, and joint operational capabilities.

   • Promotes regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the strategic South China Sea and Indo-Pacific regions.

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Activities During the Visit

• Courtesy Calls: Commanding officer met senior RMN officials, including First Admiral Abd Halim bin Kamarudin.

• Professional Engagements:

  • Cross visits and training exchanges

  • Sports fixtures between Indian Navy and RMN personnel

• Community Outreach: Yoga sessions, charity events, and recreational city visits by the crew

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Policy and UPSC Relevance

Syllabus Area	Relevance from Event
GS Paper 2 – International Relations	Bilateral India-Malaysia ties, maritime diplomacy, regional partnerships, ASEAN relations, Indo-Pacific strategy
GS Paper 3 – Security & Defence	Defence indigenisation (Aatmanirbhar Bharat), naval operations, interoperability, exercises (MILAN, Samudra Laksamana), strategic maritime presence
GS Paper 3 – Economy	Protection of sea lanes, safeguarding maritime trade routes in the Indo-Pacific
Disaster & Humanitarian Role	Indian Navy’s soft power, cultural exchanges, charity initiatives

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Conclusion

The INS Sahyadri port call at Kemaman illustrates how defence diplomacy, indigenisation, and operational deployments collectively enhance India’s strategic maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific. Through such missions, India strengthens bilateral naval cooperation, ensures regional peace and security, and projects its soft power and cultural diplomacy, all while reinforcing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.