Indian Navy’s Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri Docks in Malaysia
Malaysia :The Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth frigate INS Sahyadri docked at Kemaman port in Malaysia on October 2, 2025, as part of its operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific, fostering bilateral maritime cooperation between India and Malaysia.
INS Sahyadri, the third Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, was designed and constructed indigenously under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and commissioned in 2012. This marks the ship’s third visit to Malaysia, following earlier stops at Port Klang in 2016 and participation in Exercise Samudra Laksamana at Kota Kinabalu in 2019, highlighting enduring naval ties between the two countries.
The Royal Malaysian Navy accorded a warm welcome to INS Sahyadri, celebrating the cultural and shared maritime traditions between India and Malaysia. The visit aims to further strengthen India-Malaysia maritime military cooperation, enhance interoperability between the two navies, and facilitate exchange of best naval practices.
During the three-day port call, the ship’s Commanding Officer made courtesy calls on senior Royal Malaysian Navy officers, including First Admiral Abd Halim bin Kamarudin, Deputy Commander Naval Region. The visit featured professional exchanges, cross-visits by Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy officials, cross-training, and sport fixtures between personnel of the two navies. The crew also participated in recreational visits to the city, conducted a yoga session, and organised a charity event, reflecting the Indian Navy’s commitment to wellness, compassion, and strengthening India-Malaysia friendship.
India and Malaysia share a rich and multi-dimensional relationship shaped by deep-rooted cultural, social, and economic ties spanning millennia. With the increasing significance of the Indo-Pacific in the geopolitical landscape, both nations have recognised the importance of building regional partnerships based on mutual interest. India’s MAHASAGAR initiative aligns with ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), offering opportunities for prosperity through maritime synergy.
The navy-to-navy interactions between India and Malaysia have grown steadily over the years through engagements like the biennial LIMA exhibition and MILAN exercises. The successful culmination of the third edition of Field Training Exercise (FTX) – ‘Samudra Laksmana’ in 2024 between Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy ships underscores the commitment of both nations towards bolstering maritime security and cooperation in the region.
INS Sahyadri’s operational deployment underscores India’s stature as a responsible maritime stakeholder and preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing collaborative regional engagements.
