New Delhi: The Indian Navy’s warship INS Sahyadri arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, on October 10, 2026, to participate in the bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 18. The exercise between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve operational coordination and enhance interoperability between the two navies.
The deployment also provides an opportunity for professional engagements and interactions between naval personnel from both countries, reinforcing the longstanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia.
Exercise INDRA 2026: Dates and Key Objectives
Exercise INDRA 2026 will be conducted in two phases, beginning with engagements during the harbour phase, followed by coordinated operational activities at sea. The exercise is scheduled to run from October 13 to October 18, 2026.
The participating navies will undertake professional interactions and maritime activities designed to improve mutual understanding and operational coordination. These engagements will also allow personnel to exchange professional expertise and strengthen their ability to operate together.
In addition to the operational activities, social and cultural interactions are planned to encourage camaraderie and people-to-people connections between Indian and Russian naval personnel.
According to the information provided, the exercise will include coastal and sea phases in the Sea of Japan. The opening ceremony is scheduled for October 13.
INS Sahyadri Deployment Reflects India’s MAHASAGAR Vision
INS Sahyadri’s participation in Exercise INDRA 2026 aligns with the Government of India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
The deployment builds on the longstanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia. It also provides an opportunity to maintain the momentum generated during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held on December 4–5, 2025.
Through joint exercises and professional exchanges, both countries continue to engage on maritime security and naval cooperation.
India and Russia Review Defence Cooperation in New Delhi
India and Russia have also continued discussions on strengthening their wider defence partnership. On October 8, 2026, the inaugural session of the 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Defence Industry was held in New Delhi.
The meeting reviewed existing military-technical cooperation and explored opportunities for co-production and co-development initiatives.
The session was co-chaired by Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), from India, and Andrey A. Boytsov, First Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC). Senior officials from both countries also participated in the discussions.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the deliberations focused on reviewing ongoing cooperation and identifying further initiatives to strengthen the India-Russia strategic partnership in defence.
Russian Navy Delegation Visits Indian Naval Command and Academy
The latest naval exercise follows a visit by a six-member Russian Navy delegation to India’s Southern Naval Command and the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala.
Led by Captain 1st Rank Sergei V. Saitov, the delegation visited from September 27 to October 1, 2026. During the visit, the Russian officers familiarised themselves with the Indian Navy’s training architecture, infrastructure and facilities.
The Indian Navy said the discussions explored opportunities to deepen maritime cooperation, improve interoperability and strengthen institutional and professional links between the two navies.
The visit reflected ongoing efforts by India and Russia to maintain close naval engagement through training exchanges, professional interactions and cooperation between their naval institutions.
India-Russia Naval Partnership Continues Through Joint Engagements
Exercise INDRA 2026, the defence working group meeting in New Delhi and the recent Russian Navy delegation’s visit to India highlight the multiple channels through which the two countries are engaging on defence and maritime matters.
INS Sahyadri’s participation in the exercise provides another opportunity for both navies to improve operational coordination, exchange expertise and strengthen professional ties. The scheduled harbour and sea activities will bring Indian and Russian naval personnel together for coordinated maritime engagements, building on their longstanding defence relationship.
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