The Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vela docked in Colombo today for a three-day visit, marking another milestone in the ongoing maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed INS Vela with a ceremonial guard of honor and a performance by the Navy band, underscoring the significance of this visit.
INS Vela, a Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine built in India, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 25, 2021. During its stay, the crew will engage in several diplomatic and recreational activities. Commander Kapil Kumar, the submarine’s Commanding Officer, is scheduled to meet with Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, Commander of the Western Naval Area, at the Western Naval Headquarters. As part of the visit, personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy and the Indian High Commission will tour the submarine, gaining insights into its capabilities and operations. A friendly basketball match between the submarine crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel will also take place at the Welisara Naval Base.
Classified as an Operational Turn Around (OTR), the visit will allow the submarine to replenish provisions while giving its crew time to explore Colombo. INS Vela is set to depart Sri Lanka on November 13, 2024.
The regular port calls by Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels reinforce the strong maritime partnership between the two countries. The visit aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘SAGAR’ vision—“Security and Growth for All in the Region”—aimed at fostering peace, security, and economic growth in the Indian Ocean Region.
