The Indian submarine INS Vela made its arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday as part of a scheduled three-day visit to the island nation, according to the Indian High Commission. The submarine, which measures 67.5 meters in length and operates with a crew of 53, is under the command of Commander Kapil Kumar. Notably, INS Vela is an indigenous Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine that was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 25, 2021.
During its stay in the capital, the crew of INS Vela is set to engage in various activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at fostering mutual cooperation and camaraderie between the two naval forces. According to a statement from the Sri Lankan Navy, personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy are also expected to visit the submarine, where they will attend an awareness program focusing on its operational capabilities.
Additionally, the crew members of the submarine will have the opportunity to explore several tourist attractions across the country. Following its visit, INS Vela is scheduled to depart Colombo on November 13.
The Indian embassy highlighted that the visit is categorized as an Operational Turn Around (OTR), which allows the submarine to replenish essential provisions. This visit is part of a broader trend, as Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships and submarines routinely make port calls in Sri Lanka.
The timing of this visit aligns with India’s overarching ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, encapsulated in the ‘SAGAR’ initiative, which stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region.”
During its stay, Commander Kapil Kumar is slated to meet with Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, the Commander of the Western Naval Area, at the Western Naval Headquarters. Furthermore, joint activities are arranged, including a basketball match between the submarine’s crew and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy at the Sri Lanka Naval Base in Welisara, emphasizing the spirit of friendly competition and collaboration between the two nations.
