The Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, made a port call at Kemaman Port, Malaysia on 2nd October 2025, as part of the Eastern Fleet’s extended operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific regions. The ship was warmly welcomed by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), symbolizing the longstanding cultural ties and maritime traditions shared between India and Malaysia.
Ship Background and Previous Visits
INS Sahyadri, the third ship of the Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigates, was designed and built in India and commissioned in 2012. It stands as a proud example of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. This port call marked the third visit of INS Sahyadri to Malaysia, having previously visited Port Klang on a goodwill mission in 2016 and participated in Exercise Samudra Laksamana at Kota Kinabalu in 2019, highlighting strong and evolving naval relations.
Objectives of the Visit
The visit aimed to bolster maritime military cooperation, enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy, and facilitate the exchange of best practices. During the three-day stay, the Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri conducted courtesy calls to senior RMN officers, including First Admiral Abd Halim bin Kamarudin, Deputy Commander Naval Region.
Activities and Engagements
The visit featured:
-
Professional exchanges and joint cross-training exercises between Indian Navy and RMN personnel.
-
Sports fixtures fostering camaraderie.
-
Recreational city visits for the crew.
-
Yoga sessions and charity events reflecting Indian Navy’s commitment to wellness, compassion, and strengthened bilateral ties.
Strategic Maritime Partnership
India and Malaysia’s relationship is deep-rooted and multifaceted, encompassing social, cultural, and economic spheres over several centuries. With the increasing geopolitical importance of the Indo-Pacific, both nations have prioritized regional partnerships based on mutual interests. India’s ‘MAHASAGAR’ initiative aligns with ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), fostering maritime synergy and prosperity.
Naval interactions, including biennial exhibitions like LIMA and exercises such as MILAN and Samudra Laksamana, have steadily strengthened security cooperation. The recent culmination of the 2024 Samudra Laksamana Field Training Exercise further underscores the commitment of both navies to regional stability and partnership.
Conclusion
INS Sahyadri’s port call at Kemaman reinforces India’s status as a responsible maritime stakeholder and a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific. The visit continues to deepen India-Malaysia naval cooperation, highlighting shared strategic commitments and friendship on the high seas.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
