Jeddah/New Delhi: Indian Naval Ships INS Tamal and INS Surat made a diplomatic port call at Jeddah Islamic Port on August 27–28, 2025. The visit aimed to reinforce India-Saudi defence ties and enhance operational cooperation through direct naval exchanges.
Newly Inducted INS Tamal Showcases Indigenous Strength
INS Tamal, a Krivak/Tushil-class multi-role stealth frigate, joined the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025. Commissioned at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard, it is the last foreign-built warship to be inducted under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The frigate carries 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos missile system, and operates with the Western Fleet. Its deployment in Jeddah highlighted India’s growing blue-water capabilities. INS Surat, a guided missile destroyer, accompanied Tamal on this strategic engagement.
Strengthening Saudi Naval Cooperation
During the visit, the ships engaged with the Western Fleet of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Saudi Border Guards in Makkah. Indian officers also visited the Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to understand operational practices.
The port call included cultural and sports exchanges, with a football match between Indian and Saudi personnel fostering camaraderie. The visit concluded with a passage exercise at sea, underscoring interoperability between the two navies.
Partnership Anchored in Joint Exercises
India and Saudi Arabia have steadily expanded defence ties, marked by the Al Mohed Al Hindi exercises in 2021 and 2023. In early 2025, both navies launched Staff Talks to institutionalize cooperation.
Regular training exchanges of officers and cadets reflect the shared focus on capacity building. A Saudi delegation also visited the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, strengthening maritime information-sharing mechanisms.
Strategic Significance of the Visit
The Jeddah visit reaffirmed India and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean. It builds on the broader defence partnership reinforced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 2025 state visit to Riyadh.
By integrating diplomacy, training, and joint exercises, the engagement highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a key maritime partner. For India, it underscored the Navy’s role in advancing regional stability and protecting sea lanes.
