Indian Naval Ships Make Historic Port Call in Jeddah
INS Tamal and INS Surat Berth at Jeddah Islamic Port as Part of Growing Defense Ties
Saudi and Indian officials, along with members of the local Indian community, welcomed two Indian naval ships to Jeddah for a port call on Wednesday.
The multi-role frigate INS Tamal and guided missile destroyer INS Surat docked at the Jeddah Islamic Port from August 27-28 as part of ongoing naval exchanges between India and Saudi Arabia, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.The visit comes during a period of strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.
The arrival of these ships marks a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, particularly given that Saudi Arabia is one of India's key maritime neighbors.
Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expressed his delight at this development, emphasizing the shared commitment between both countries to expand military cooperation.This sentiment was echoed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Jeddah in April 2025, where a ministerial committee on defense cooperation was established to further consolidate and strengthen their defense partnership.
A significant meeting under this committee, known as the JCDC (Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation), took place recently in New Delhi, with high-ranking officials from both countries reviewing various aspects of their defense ties.The port call included multiple official engagements for the Indian naval delegation.
These included interactions with leadership from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Saudi Border Guards, a familiarization tour of the Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Center operations, and an exhibition football match against the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The activities culminated in a passage exercise conducted during their departure.To showcase the growing relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly within the realm of naval defense, the Indian ambassador hosted a dinner reception on board INS Tamal for Saudi guests and the local Indian diaspora.
Both countries have enjoyed comprehensive defense relations that prominently feature naval cooperation.
Past joint maritime exercises, such as Al-Mohed Al-Hindi in 2021 and 2023, highlight the shared objectives in enhancing security and operational capabilities.Furthermore, regular exchanges of naval officers and cadets for training and capacity-building purposes underscore the commitment to fostering a robust partnership between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
Recently, a delegation from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces visited IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Center — Indian Ocean Region) in Gurugram, India, for an educational tour, further demonstrating the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise.This port call serves as a testament to the deepening naval diplomatic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared vision for enhanced maritime security and cooperation.
The multi-role frigate INS Tamal and guided missile destroyer INS Surat docked at the Jeddah Islamic Port from August 27-28 as part of ongoing naval exchanges between India and Saudi Arabia, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.The visit comes during a period of strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.
The arrival of these ships marks a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, particularly given that Saudi Arabia is one of India's key maritime neighbors.
Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expressed his delight at this development, emphasizing the shared commitment between both countries to expand military cooperation.This sentiment was echoed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Jeddah in April 2025, where a ministerial committee on defense cooperation was established to further consolidate and strengthen their defense partnership.
A significant meeting under this committee, known as the JCDC (Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation), took place recently in New Delhi, with high-ranking officials from both countries reviewing various aspects of their defense ties.The port call included multiple official engagements for the Indian naval delegation.
These included interactions with leadership from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Saudi Border Guards, a familiarization tour of the Jeddah Maritime Rescue Coordination Center operations, and an exhibition football match against the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The activities culminated in a passage exercise conducted during their departure.To showcase the growing relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly within the realm of naval defense, the Indian ambassador hosted a dinner reception on board INS Tamal for Saudi guests and the local Indian diaspora.
Both countries have enjoyed comprehensive defense relations that prominently feature naval cooperation.
Past joint maritime exercises, such as Al-Mohed Al-Hindi in 2021 and 2023, highlight the shared objectives in enhancing security and operational capabilities.Furthermore, regular exchanges of naval officers and cadets for training and capacity-building purposes underscore the commitment to fostering a robust partnership between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
Recently, a delegation from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces visited IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Center — Indian Ocean Region) in Gurugram, India, for an educational tour, further demonstrating the mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise.This port call serves as a testament to the deepening naval diplomatic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared vision for enhanced maritime security and cooperation.
