Indian Naval Ship Tarkash arrives at Port Victoria, Seychelles

📌 Summary:

• INS Tarkash, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 12 June 2026 during its operational deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region
• The ship escorted Seychelles Coast Guard ship PS Zoroaster from India to Seychelles, following its refit at GRSE, Kolkata — reflecting a partnership across both construction and sustainment
• Visit underscores interoperability to address shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Critical spares and essential stores to be handed over to the Government of Seychelles; Commanding Officer to call on senior Seychelles government and defence functionaries

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Internal Security (maritime security) and GS2 IR — India's role as a net security provider in the IOR and its SAGAR vision.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• INS Tarkash — stealth frigate, Indian Navy
• Built/refit at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
• Seychelles Coast Guard ship escorted: PS Zoroaster; deployment region: South West Indian Ocean

🔑 Key Term: SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) — India's maritime cooperation doctrine for the Indian Ocean.