Indian Naval Ship Sunayna on Durban shores
Scores of Durban residents, including school pupils, got the opportunity to spend time on board the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna, which visited the Port of Durban from Monday until Friday.
Many also participated in a yoga programme held by the sailors on board the ship, which was in Durban as part of a friendly visit to commemorate the 30 years of diplomatic partnership between India and South Africa.
During the visit, the Indian and South African navies engaged in professional exchanges, cross deck visits and other activities, enhancing maritime co-operation.
Members of both navies and the public also participated in social engagements and commemorative events on board.
Consul General of India in Durban, Dr Thelma David, said the activities were aimed at strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between the two navies and countries.
“The visit of INS Sunayna to Durban seeks to highlight the historical links and the importance accorded by India to bilateral relations with South Africa, and to strengthen the existing bonds between the two countries.
“We want the youth – especially the next generation – to remember and know the cordial and historic relations shared between India and South Africa. We have been having regular interactions to demonstrate all of this. Our countries have cordial defence and political relations and share the Indian Ocean as maritime neighbours,” said Dr David.
The INS Trishul visited Durban in June while the INS Tarkash visited Gqeberha in October 2022 for an exercise hosted by the South African Navy.
“The Indian Navy also hosts a number of trainees from the South African Navy in various naval professional schools in India. I am pleased to welcome this vessel here and to have South Africans on board,” said Dr David.
The INS Sunayna is a stealth off-shore patrol vessel, designed and constructed indigenously in the Goa Shipyard Limited.
The 105-meter long vessel weighs 2200 tonnes and is fitted with state of the art equipment, including an Alouhette helicopter on-board to support it in its various operations.
The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command, based in Kochi.
INS Sunayna is commanded by Commander Prabhat Ranjan Mishra and manned by 15 officers and 110 sailors.
She is routinely deployed for operations such as anti-piracy and narcotics patrol, and humanitarian activities like search and rescue, humanitarian and disaster relief, and escort missions.
