Port Victoria, Seychelles, July 1, 2025 — INS Teg, an Indian Navy stealth frigate, concluded a four-day port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles, on June 30, 2025, as part of its deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region. The visit, involving professional meetings, cultural events, and joint maritime operations, reinforced the defence and maritime cooperation between India and Seychelles. On June 26, Captain Vikas Guleria, Commanding Officer of INS Teg, met with Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces, Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Home Affairs, and Kartik Pande, High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. The discussions focused on deepening bilateral defence ties and enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
The ship’s crew also hosted Seychelles government officials and Indian High Commission representatives onboard for talks aimed at fostering closer professional collaboration.On June 28, INS Teg organized a yoga session to mark the International Day of Yoga 2025, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The event saw participation from local residents, the Indian diaspora, and the ship’s crew, promoting cultural exchange. That same day, the frigate was opened to the public, with approximately 200 visitors taking guided tours to learn about the Indian Navy’s operations and its role in ensuring regional maritime security.A key highlight was INS Teg’s participation in Seychelles’ 49th National Day celebrations on June 29. A marching contingent from the ship, accompanied by the Indian Naval Band, took part in a parade, joined by a flypast from the frigate’s integral helicopter.
The display was well-received by attendees. Later that evening, INS Teg hosted a cultural event onboard, attended by Seychelles ministers, including those for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Community Affairs, as well as envoys from France, Japan, the USA, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, and members of the Indian diaspora. The event included a Naval Band performance, a dance by the crew, and Indian cuisine, facilitating professional exchanges in a relaxed setting.Following the port call, INS Teg embarked Seychelles Coast Guard personnel for a joint Exclusive Economic Zone patrol from June 30 to July 2, aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
This operation underscores India’s commitment to securing the global maritime commons. The frigate will proceed with its deployment after completing the patrol.The visit aligns with India’s “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, launched in 2015 to promote cooperative security in the Indian Ocean Region. It follows INS Teg’s recent joint patrol with the Mauritius Coast Guard in June 2025, reflecting India’s ongoing efforts to support maritime security among regional partners. Seychelles, with its strategic location and vast Exclusive Economic Zone, relies on such collaborations to protect its fisheries-based economy. The port call highlights India’s role as a key maritime partner, fostering stability and cooperation in the region.