Why in news?
On 27 May 2026 the Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini reached Antigua in the Caribbean after completing the longest leg of its trans‑ Atlantic voyage from Cape Verde. The stopover marked a milestone in Lokayan 26, a ten‑month expedition covering 22,000 nautical miles and visiting 18 ports across 13 countries.
Background
The Indian Navy uses tall ships to train cadets in seamanship and to showcase India’s maritime heritage. INS Sudarshini, commissioned in 1997, is a three‑masted barquentine and the second sail training ship of the Navy. She has already logged more than 1.40 lakh nautical miles. The Lokayan 26 voyage, which commenced from Kochi on 20 January 2026, honours the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”) and aims to foster goodwill and friendship through port visits.
Purpose and activities
- Sail training: Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will undergo hands‑on training in long‑range navigation, traditional seamanship and teamwork. Experience gained on tall ships helps develop leadership and resilience among cadets.
- Diplomacy and outreach: The ship is visiting 18 foreign ports in Africa, Europe and the Americas. It will participate in international tall‑ship festivals such as Escale à Sète in France and SAIL 250 in New York, showcasing India’s seafaring traditions and building maritime partnerships.
- Cultural exchange: At each port the crew engages with local communities through open ships, cultural performances and joint training activities, strengthening ties and promoting mutual understanding.
- Historical crossing: The leg from Cape Verde to Antigua was the longest Atlantic crossing ever undertaken by an Indian naval tall ship. The vessel has sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles since departing Kochi and will continue towards the United States after replenishment in the Caribbean.
Conclusion
Lokayan 26 demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to training, diplomacy and cultural outreach. By crossing oceans under sail, INS Sudarshini embodies India’s maritime heritage and builds bridges of friendship across continents.