Indian Naval Submarine "Vagir" to visit Colombo

Indian Naval Submarine ‘Vagir’, which is the latest indigenous Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy, will undertake an operational visit at Colombo from June 19–22, 2023, to commemorate the 9th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) under the theme of ‘Global Ocean Ring’. The Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval Submarine, Commander Divakar S, will call on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva. Further, during the submarine’s visit, the vessel would be open for visitors and schoolchildren.

The High Commission of India, in coordination with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, is scheduled to organise a grand event at Colombo Port to celebrate IDY on June 21, 2033, with the participation of senior defence hierarchy and personnel from Indian and Sri Lankan Navies. The Indian Navy is participating in the 9th edition of IDY with the unique initiative of performing yoga in selected ports across the world, forming a ‘Global Ocean Ring’. Connecting people the world over in a common pursuit of wellness, IDY 2023 resonates with the theme of India’s ongoing presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Further, it may be recalled that Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Sukanya, Kiltan, and Savitri had earlier visited Colombo and Trincomalee earlier this year, during which yoga sessions were organised with the Sri Lanka Navy. Recently, in June 2023, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces participated in a three-day yoga workshop across five cities in Sri Lanka, which was organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre. Visits by Indian Navy ships and submarines in Sri Lanka aim to foster brotherhood and togetherness between the two neighbouring navies in keeping with India’s vision of ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.