INS Sahyadri Makes Strategic Port Call in Malaysia, Strengthening Indo-Pacific Maritime Ties
As part of its operational deployment to the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Navy’s indigenously built stealth frigate INS Sahyadri made a port call at Kemaman Port, Malaysia, marking another milestone in India-Malaysia naval cooperation.
The Indian warship was warmly welcomed by personnel of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), reflecting the growing defence partnership and shared maritime heritage between the two countries. The visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening its presence in the Indo-Pacific and enhancing security cooperation with regional partners.
Commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigates, developed under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Equipped with advanced stealth features and weapon systems, the vessel plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests. Over the years, it has participated in numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, symbolizing India’s expanding naval footprint and its role as a net security provider in the region.
This visit marks INS Sahyadri’s third port call to Malaysia, following a goodwill visit to Port Klang in 2016 and participation in the India-Malaysia bilateral naval exercise Samudra Laksamana at Kota Kinabalu in 2019. The current visit focuses on enhancing interoperability, sharing best practices, and fostering mutual understanding between the Indian Navy and the RMN.
During the three-day port stay, the ship’s Commanding Officer paid courtesy calls on senior Malaysian naval officials, including First Admiral Abd Halim bin Kamarudin, Deputy Commander of the Naval Region. A wide range of engagements took place, including professional exchanges, cross-training sessions, friendly sports matches, and cultural interactions between personnel of both navies.
In keeping with India’s tradition of people-to-people diplomacy, the crew of INS Sahyadri also organized a yoga session and conducted a charity event, highlighting the Indian Navy’s ethos of wellness, compassion, and community outreach.
India and Malaysia enjoy long-standing cultural, economic, and strategic relations, deeply rooted in centuries of maritime connectivity across the Indian Ocean. As the Indo-Pacific emerges as a focal point for global strategic competition and cooperation, both countries have reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. This alignment is visible through India’s MAHASAGAR initiative—which aims to deepen maritime cooperation with Indian Ocean littoral states—and Malaysia’s support for ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which emphasizes inclusivity, dialogue, and rules-based order.
The port call by INS Sahyadri not only reflects India’s proactive maritime diplomacy but also reaffirms the enduring strategic partnership between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur—built on mutual trust, regional cooperation, and a shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
