Indian Navy Accorded Ceremonial Welcome to INS Sudarshini on Completion of ‘Lokayan 26’ Transoceanic Expedition

KOCHI : The Indian Navy accorded a grand ceremonial welcome to INS Sudarshini as it returned to its home port in Kochi on November 2, 2026, marking the successful completion of ‘Lokayan 26’—a landmark ten-month transoceanic sailing expedition. The homecoming was celebrated with a traditional water cannon salute and performance by the Naval Band as family members gathered to receive the crew after an extraordinary voyage spanning over 22,000 nautical miles across the globe.

The Flag-in Ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command. Addressing the gathering, VAdm Saxena commended the crew for their exemplary perseverance, professionalism, and devotion to duty. He emphasized that completing this rare feat demonstrates the Indian Navy’s highest standards of sail training, seamanship, and operational preparedness, while showcasing India’s rich maritime heritage and promoting international goodwill.

Flagged off from Kochi on January 20, 2026, Lokayan 26 included 17 port calls across 11 countries spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. The deployment featured two transatlantic crossings, including a demanding 2,200-nautical-mile passage covered over 18 days exclusively under sail. Key highlights of the voyage included participation in the Escale à Sète maritime heritage festival in France, SAIL 250, and the International Naval Review in the United States. Throughout the deployment, INS Sudarshini served as a diplomatic ambassador of India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, engaging in extensive professional exchanges with the Royal Moroccan Navy, Portuguese Navy, Italian Navy, Egyptian Navy, and Spanish Navy while providing critical hands-on ocean navigation and sail-handling training to young officer trainees.