India, South Korea Launch First Bilateral Navy Exercise to Boost Maritime Cooperation

The first bilateral naval exercise took place on October 13, 2025, between the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) and the Indian Navy at the Busan Naval Base of South Korea. The occasion is a historic one that will help boost maritime relations between the two countries. It was initiated when a homebuilt Shivalik-class stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, arrived as a member of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy stationed at Visakhapatnam. The drill will include harbour and sea phases, which aim at enhancing interoperability, understanding, and building positive relationships between the two navies. These involve cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, shared training, and more complicated manoeuvres at sea. This alliance highlights the increased strategic relationship between India and South Korea at sea.

India’s Navy Contributes to Maritime Cooperation 

• Role: Protects Indian maritime interests, preserves freedom of navigation, and enhances security regionally and internationally.

• Slogan: Sham No Varunah - May the Lord of the oceans favor us.

• Major Exercises: Malabar (India-US-Japan-Australia), SLINEX (Sri Lanka), INDRA (Russia), AUSINDEX (Australia), Naseem-Al-Bahr (Oman), and the first bilateral exercise with South Korea (2025).

• New Ships in Service: INS Sahyadri (Stealth Frigate), INS Kolkata (Destroyer), INS Vikrant (Aircraft Carrier), INS Kora (Corvette), INS Arihant (Submarine).

• Chief (2025): Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff.

• Significance: Enhances interoperability, disaster response, anti-piracy operations, maritime diplomacy, and international naval ties.

Conclusion

The first India-South Korea bilateral naval exercise is a groundbreaker in maritime co-operation and international relations.

The purpose of the exercise carried out with the participation of such ships as INS Sahyadri is the enhance interoperability, confidence, and shared readiness to work. It demonstrates the interest of the two countries in regional security, freedom of navigation, and increased defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.