The Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, wrapped up a productive port visit to Casablanca in Morocco from 6 to 9 August 2025, as part of its maiden voyage back to India following commissioning in Russia on 1 July. Built under a collaborative agreement with Russian shipyards, this Talwar-class vessel represents a key addition to India’s naval arsenal, equipped with advanced stealth features, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, surface-to-air defences, and sophisticated radar systems that enable it to operate effectively in contested maritime environments. The stopover in Casablanca, the third by an Indian warship to the port in the past two years, forms part of a broader itinerary that sees the frigate calling at various European and Asian harbours, promoting maritime diplomacy and deepening bilateral connections along the way.
Over the three-day stay, the crew of INS Tamal participated in a series of engagements designed to foster closer ties between the Indian and Moroccan navies. These included high-level talks with senior military figures, reciprocal ship tours to exchange operational insights, friendly sports matches, yoga sessions that introduced Moroccan personnel to wellness practices rooted in Indian tradition, and cultural events celebrating the shared heritage and mutual respect between the two countries. Such activities not only build camaraderie among sailors but also lay the groundwork for practical cooperation in areas like joint training and information sharing. The frigate’s officers met with notable Moroccan leaders, including Captain Rachid Sadrhazi, who commands the 1st Naval Base, Captain-Major Hasan Akouli overseeing the Central Maritime Sector, Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf as the Delegated Commander for Weapons in the Casablanca Area, and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, serving as the Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy. These interactions provided a platform to discuss common challenges, such as securing sea lanes against piracy and trafficking in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.
Adding a diplomatic layer to the visit, India’s Ambassador to Morocco, His Excellency Shri Sanjay Rana, boarded the ship to engage with both the crew and Moroccan naval representatives. His presence reinforced the strategic value India places on its relationship with Morocco, a partnership that extends beyond defence to encompass trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. Upon leaving Casablanca, INS Tamal conducted a Passage Exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy’s frigate Mohammed VI, a sophisticated multi-role vessel equipped for anti-submarine warfare, surface engagements, and air defence. This at-sea drill allowed both navies to practice manoeuvres, communication protocols, and tactical coordination, honing skills that could prove vital in multinational operations or crisis responses.
This port call exemplifies India’s commitment to nurturing robust ties with Morocco, a nation that shares interests in regional stability and economic growth. By dispatching advanced assets like INS Tamal, New Delhi signals its intent to expand defence collaboration, which could involve joint exercises, technology sharing, or even co-production ventures in the future. The visit also afforded opportunities for the navies to exchange best practices on topics ranging from maritime domain awareness to humanitarian assistance, while scouting new paths for partnership in an increasingly interconnected world.
INS Tamal’s journey fits into a pattern of heightened Indian naval outreach across Africa in recent years, aimed at building trust and capabilities amid shared security concerns. In January 2025, the Krivak III-class stealth-guided missile frigate INS Tushil made a diplomatic stop in Lagos, Nigeria, during its inaugural transit from Kaliningrad in Russia to its base in Karwar, India. As the first naval vessel to dock in Lagos that year, it facilitated discussions on maritime security and counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, a hotspot for oil theft and armed robberies at sea. Similarly, in December 2023, the Saryu-class patrol vessel INS Sumedha became the first Indian warship to visit Kenya’s port of Lamu, arriving on 9 December as part of an extended deployment to the continent. This historic call emphasised cooperation in areas like search and rescue and anti-trafficking operations along East Africa’s coast.
Going back to September 2022, the Talwar-class frigate INS Tarkash arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, on 8 September, concluding a voyage spanning three oceans, over 24,000 nautical miles, and 133 days. The mission, themed around celebrating India’s “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” independence commemorations, sought to reinforce friendships through port visits and joint activities. That same year, India hosted its inaugural trilateral naval exercise with Tanzania and Mozambique, bringing together warships for drills focused on interoperability, disaster response, and maritime interdiction. These initiatives have evolved, with the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement exercise in April 2025 involving ten African nations, including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Mozambique, co-hosted off Tanzania’s coast. Led by Indian vessels like INS Chennai and INS Kesari, the six-day event addressed threats such as piracy and illegal fishing, showcasing India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean. Also, India and Algeria conducted a maiden joint military maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea near the Algerian coast on Sunday, 29 August, 2021.
A driving force behind India’s amplified naval presence in Africa is the need to balance China’s expanding footprint on the continent over the past quarter-century. Beijing has invested heavily in ports, infrastructure, and military bases, including its facility in Djibouti, which serves as a logistics hub for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This growth has sparked unease in New Delhi, where officials view it as a potential encirclement strategy that could threaten India’s vital sea lines of communication. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar articulated these concerns during a September 2023 address at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, noting the rapid enlargement of China’s naval capabilities and its implications for regional power dynamics. India’s response has involved not just port visits and exercises but also capacity-building programmes, such as training African naval personnel and supplying patrol vessels, to offer alternatives that emphasise partnership over dominance.
Through these efforts, India positions itself as a reliable collaborator in Africa’s maritime domain, contributing to stability while safeguarding its own interests in a multipolar world. As INS Tamal continues its homeward journey, stopping at additional ports to weave a web of alliances, it embodies this proactive stance, blending operational prowess with diplomatic outreach to navigate the complexities of global security.