Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Indian Navy Ships Mark 80th Independence Day at Overseas Ports
India recently celebrated its 80th birthday as a free country, a day called Independence Day.
On that special day, Indian Navy ships were visiting ports in far-away countries.
They flew the Indian flag, called the tricolour, high on their ships.
One big warship, INS Imphal, was in Muscat, which is in Oman.
Another ship, INS Sudarshini, was in Ponta Delgada, on islands called the Azores that belong to Portugal.
That ship had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean, a trip that took 19 days from Boston.
The crew met Portuguese sailors and took part in cultural activities together.
In Oman, India's ambassador visited the warship, and the crew joined a flag-hoisting ceremony.
The celebrations show how India shares friendship and works together with other countries across the sea.
It was a way of carrying India's pride and maritime spirit across the oceans.
Indian naval ships marked India's 80th Independence Day at overseas ports, including Djibouti, Muscat, and Ponta Delgada.
INS Imphal, a Visakhapatnam-class destroyer, flew the tricolour during her port call at Muscat, Oman.
India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, visited INS Imphal, and her crew participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the embassy.
Sail training ship INS Sudarshini celebrated Independence Day at Ponta Delgada in Portugal's Azores, featuring tricolour illumination.
INS Sudarshini arrived on 13 August 2026 after a 19-day trans-Atlantic passage from Boston as part of the Lokayan 26 deployment.
- Who
- The Indian Navy, with ships INS Imphal and INS Sudarshini, and India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, who visited INS Imphal.
- What
- Indian naval ships marked the 80th Independence Day at overseas ports by flying the tricolour and holding celebrations.
- When
- On India's 80th Independence Day; INS Sudarshini arrived at Ponta Delgada on 13 August 2026.
- Where
- At overseas ports including Muscat (Oman), Ponta Delgada (Portugal's Azores archipelago), and Djibouti.
- Why
- To reflect India's maritime presence, national pride, and enduring bonds of friendship and maritime cooperation with partner nations.
- Event
- India's 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Ships involved
- INS Imphal and INS Sudarshini
- Ports
- Muscat (Oman), Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal), Djibouti
- INS Imphal
- Visakhapatnam-class destroyer; crew visited by Ambassador Prashant Pise
- INS Sudarshini
- Sail training ship, celebrated with tricolour illumination
- Trans-Atlantic passage
- 19 days from Boston
- Arrival in Ponta Delgada
- 13 August 2026
- Deployment
- Lokayan 26