MARCH 11:Indian Naval Ship (INS) Imphal made its maiden port call at Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, in a significant gesture of strengthening bilateral ties between India and Mauritius. The ship will actively participate in the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025, continuing the tradition of Indian warships and aircraft joining the festivities. The participation will include a marching contingent, a naval band, and a helicopter for the flypast at the National Day Parade held at Champs de Mars. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, will be the Chief Guest at the celebrations.
INS Imphal’s visit is not only a display of naval cooperation but also a platform for fostering closer ties between the two nations. During her stay in Port Louis, from March 10 to 14, the ship will engage in a series of training and cultural exchanges. These activities include cross-training visits, friendly sports fixtures, and community outreach events, all aimed at strengthening the maritime security cooperation between India and Mauritius. A joint exercise involving the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, along with Mauritius Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) vessels, is also planned, focusing on enhancing the operational synergy between the two forces.
The visit of INS Imphal underscores India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which was articulated by Prime Minister Modi a decade ago during his visit to Mauritius. The vision was first unveiled at the commissioning of MCGS Barracuda, the first Indian-built warship inducted into the Mauritius National Coast Guard on March 12, 2015. The deployment of INS Imphal at the Mauritius National Day celebrations serves as a reaffirmation of India’s deep engagement in promoting security, stability, and growth in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly with island nations like Mauritius. These engagements highlight India’s strong historical, political, economic, security, and socio-cultural connections with Mauritius.
INS Imphal, commissioned in December 2023, is the third of the four Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) indigenous destroyers. Equipped with state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, and machinery, it ranks among the largest and most technologically advanced warships in the world. The ship’s participation in the National Day celebrations and its planned activities during the visit are a testament to India’s continued efforts to enhance maritime security and foster closer relationships with its neighbouring countries.
 Imphal made its maiden port call at Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, in a significant gesture of strengthening bilateral ties between India and Mauritius){kind=link}