Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri has arrived at Busan Naval Harbour in South Korea to participate in the first-ever bilateral naval exercise between India and South Korea, marking a significant milestone in the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. The Republic of Korea Navy extended a warm welcome to INS Sahyadri upon its arrival on Monday, highlighting the strengthening navy-to-navy cooperation and the strategic alliance between the two countries.

The exercise, named IN-RoKN, will involve both harbor and sea phases, aimed at enhancing interoperability, mutual understanding, and trust between the Indian and South Korean navies. During the harbor phase, officials from both navies will engage in reciprocal cross-deck visits, share best practices, participate in cross-training sessions, and engage in sports fixtures. The Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri will also meet with senior officials from the Republic of Korea Navy and local dignitaries.

The sea phase will involve joint exercises between INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam, focusing on complex joint maneuvers and operational exercises to strengthen tactical coordination and operational synergy.

INS Sahyadri is an indigenously designed and constructed Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate, commissioned in 2012. The ship exemplifies India's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) vision and has participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises and operational deployments. Based in Visakhapatnam as part of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, INS Sahyadri showcases India's shipbuilding capabilities and its commitment to maritime security.

The exercise underscores the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region in the geopolitical landscape, with both India and South Korea recognizing the need to build strong maritime partnerships based on shared interests and common values. The Indian Navy's ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific highlights India's role as a responsible maritime stakeholder and its commitment to being a preferred security partner in the region.

This inaugural bilateral exercise follows years of planning and discussions between the two navies. In line with India's "Act East" policy, this exercise is a testament to the deepening relations between India and South Korea, built upon historical and cultural links. These links include growing economic engagements and military-to-military interactions, with the first bilateral Defence Dialogue held in 2003 and the first Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in 2005.

The Indian Navy has also extended an invitation to the Republic of Korea Navy to participate in the International Fleet Review 2026, scheduled to be held in February 2026 off the East Coast of India.

Prior to arriving in Busan, INS Sahyadri was in Malaysia to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability between the two countries. Following the exercise with South Korea, INS Sahyadri is also scheduled to conduct exercises with the Japanese and Papua New Guinea navies.

INS Sahyadri is equipped with an array of weaponry, including long-range anti-ship missiles, medium and short-range surface-to-air missiles, and powerful guns. The ship can also carry two integral multi-role helicopters, enhancing its operational capabilities.