The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tushil is visiting the Durban Harbour, deepening the bonds between India and South Africa.
The Talwar-class frigate arrived on Wednesday and is set to depart on Saturday, bringing with it a modernised combat vessel equipped with cutting-edge technology and enhanced capabilities tailored for maritime security.
While on its visit, INS Tushil will be engaging in a series of professional interactions with the South African Navy, aimed at elevating the already substantial cooperation between the two nations' naval forces. Additionally, a number of cultural and recreational activities have been organised, including a yoga session and a 5km fun run for unity along Durban’s promenade scheduled for Friday.
On Thursday, the ship's captain, Peter Varghese, guided India's High Commissioner to South Africa, Shri Prabhat Kumar, and Indian Consul General Dr Thelma John David on a tour of the frigate.
Varghese said the ship, which has 26 officers and over 240 sailors, has the latest 2024 technology and improved operational capabilities.
The INS Tushil's journey has been extensive, including stops in major global ports such as London, Casablanca, Dakar, Lagos, and Walvis Bay, marking its inaugural arrival in the Indian Ocean.
Varghese said it was a privilege to be in one of their best partners of the Indian ocean region, South Africa.
"South Africa means a lot to India and for the Indian navy we've had a longstanding relationship with the South African navy. It's not only limited to capability building but its getting into more high quality levels of interactions which are seen between a few partners. We have a high quality interaction with the South African navy. The trust between the two navies is at unprecedented levels.
"On our way down here we were also deployed in the Gulf of Guinea which is a high piracy risk area. In partnership with the regional navy's we conducted joint patrols," he said.
Varghese said unlike an offshore patrol vessel which is designed for patrolling and providing maritime security against non-traditional threats, for eg. piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, this ship was more for its combat role, that is traditional threats and navy to navy combat interactions.
"Its role is more war time. But it can also contribute to maritime security," he said.
Kumar said the ship's visit is educational for the local school children, adding that India has a very active defence corporation with South Africa.
David said it was always an honour for Durban to host the Indian navy ship.
"It is preserving maritime peace. Apart from the navy to navy interactions it also gives us an opportunity to engage with the community. We had the diaspora community here and the Indian navy engaged in yoga alongside the ship. It was a wonderful time to have yoga near the Indian ocean.
"We have 300 youth from the community visiting the ship and learning about the friendship between India and South Africa. It is always a pleasure to engage with every Indian navy ship and Durban as usual has been the warmest place to be here. We also have other engagements between the navy and the city," said David.
Thamarai Moodley, a Grade 11 pupil from Merebank Secondary school, was among the learners who got a tour of the ship on Thursday.
"I am so excited to have had this opportunity. I was so intrigued to go on board and loved the experience. It was educational and great to learn history," said Moodley.
The visit to Durban aims 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.
INS Tishul is the seventh in the series of ships in the Indian navy.