St. Petersburg, Russia: In a powerful demonstration of India’s enduring maritime partnership with Russia, the Indian Navy’s Talwar-class stealth frigate, INS Tabar (F44), arrived in St. Petersburg on July 25, 2024. The visit coincided with the 328th Russian Navy Day celebrations, reinforcing a long-standing tradition of Indian naval participation in Russia’s premier maritime event.
INS Tabar, commissioned in 2004 and originally built at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg, returned to its place of origin to join the grand naval parade along the iconic Angliyskaya Embankment. The four-day visit highlighted India’s growing naval diplomacy and operational interoperability with friendly navies.
Frigate Showcases Bilateral Bond
The Indian Navy described the visit as part of India’s strategic commitment to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam –“the world is one family.” As part of this engagement, INS Tabar participated in a high-level Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Russian Navy’s Steregushchiy-class frigate Soobrazitelny on July 30.
The exercise featured complex operations including communication drills, search and rescue protocols, and replenishment-at-sea manoeuvres. These drills served to enhance mutual coordination and reaffirm the professionalism and synergy between the two navies.
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Indian Sailors Greeted by President Putin
INS Tabar was among three foreign naval ships selected for the naval parade on the Neva River—alongside the Chinese Navy’s Jiaozuo destroyer and the Algerian Navy’s La Soummam training ship. Russian President Vladimir Putin personally greeted the Indian sailors during his review of the fleet, underscoring the diplomatic weight of India’s participation.
Since its revival by presidential decree in 2017, the Russian Navy Day parade has become a showcase of Russia’s naval legacy and modern capability, with over 200 ships, boats, and submarines participating this year.
Strengthening Naval Ties Beyond Parade Decks
Beyond ceremonial participation, the Indian crew engaged in professional exchanges, cultural interactions, and visits to key landmarks in St. Petersburg. These people-to-people engagements furthered goodwill and mutual respect between the two nations’ naval forces.
This visit also echoed past engagements—most notably when INS Tabar joined the 325th anniversary celebrations of the Russian Navy in 2021. Such consistent participation underlines a relationship built not only on military hardware but on shared maritime values and strategic convergence.
