INS Tarkash Strengthens India-Kenya Maritime Relations During Mombasa Visit

The Indian Naval Ship Tarkash has successfully concluded its port visit in Mombasa, Kenya, enhancing maritime cooperation between India and Kenya. The visit included a Passage Exercise with the Kenya Navy, professional exchanges, and community outreach activities. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both nations to maritime security and strengthens their bilateral ties. The event featured a reception attended by dignitaries, showcasing the enduring friendship and shared goals of regional stability. Discover more about the activities and significance of this visit.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 3, 2026, 12:47 IST

Strengthening Ties Through Maritime Cooperation

File image of INS Tarkash(Photo: @IndiainKenya/X)

Nairobi, Oct 3: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash, a prominent guided-missile frigate, has concluded its port visit in Mombasa, Kenya, marking a significant step in enhancing maritime collaboration between India and the East African nation.

On Saturday, the Indian High Commission in Nairobi announced that during its departure on Friday (local time), INS Tarkash engaged in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) alongside the Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) Jasiri off the coast of Mombasa.

This exercise aimed to bolster interoperability between the two naval forces and reaffirm their mutual dedication to maritime security.

As part of the visit, personnel from both the Indian and Kenyan navies participated in professional exchanges, focusing on duties such as Officer of the Day and Officer of the Watch, as well as force protection and engineering practices.

Kenya Navy medical officers received insights into the ship's telemedicine capabilities, while joint planning sessions were held to prepare for the Passage Exercise (PASSEX). These interactions fostered shared knowledge and enhanced cooperation between the two navies.

The day also included community outreach activities, with INS Tarkash welcoming approximately 100 visitors from the Sahjanand Special Children School in Mtwapa, further promoting people-to-people connections between India and Kenya.

Additionally, the ship was accessible to the public, reinforcing the bonds between the two nations.

Kenya Navy personnel participated in briefings on various duties and engineering practices, while the ship's Principal Medical Officer provided a briefing on the onboard telemedicine facility. The Commanding Officer also met with Brigadier William Kiprotich, Commander of the Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, and the Kenya Navy hosted a dinner for the ship's officers and crew, strengthening the friendship between the two naval forces.

Earlier in the week, India's High Commissioner to Kenya, Adarsh Swaika, and Captain Rohit Mishra, Commanding Officer of INS Tarkash, co-hosted a deck reception aboard the frigate in Mombasa, celebrating the enduring maritime partnership and friendship between the two countries.

The event was attended by the Deputy Fleet Commander of the Kenya Navy, representatives from the Kenya Navy, members of the diplomatic community, and the Indian diaspora, highlighting the strong ties and shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and maritime security.

This visit by INS Tarkash has significantly advanced India-Kenya maritime cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean and reflects India's MAHASAGAR vision.