India to send INS Sudarshini to Trump's America 250th celebration

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 13, 2026 07:00 IST

India will be part of one of the largest maritime spectacles in modern history as the Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini (A77) will join President Trump’s America 250th Celebration by attending the Sail 250th event in New York Harbor for the United States’ 250th Independence anniversary celebrations on July 4, 2026.

INS Sudarshini will participate in a week-long international maritime event marking America’s Semiquincentennial, which will feature more than 50 Class A and Class B tall ships from 30 countries, alongside another 50 US and allied gray-hulled naval vessels, the luxury liner Queen Mary 2, and thousands of civilian boats.

The grand Parade of Sail will see ships enter New York Harbor from the Verrazzano Bridge to the George Washington Bridge, pass in presidential review, and salute the Statue of Liberty, echoing iconic celebrations held during the 1976 Bicentennial and other historic milestones.

Organizers expect the 2026 event to surpass all previous OpSail celebrations. “We expect the Semiquincentennial celebration in New York to surpass the previous historic OpSail events,” said Chris O’Brien, President of Sail4th 250. “With 250 days to go, we’re in excellent shape to mount what will certainly be a highlight of celebrations nationwide.”

India’s participation through INS Sudarshini places it among a distinguished list of nations dispatching naval training vessels and goodwill ambassadors, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan, and others. The US Coast Guard Barque Eagle will lead the Parade of Sail on July 4.

The celebrations will begin with a Class B tall ships parade down the East River on July 3, followed by the arrival of the larger Class A vessels the next morning. An estimated eight million spectators are expected to line the shores of New York and New Jersey, witnessing an Naval Review (INR250), an aerial display led by the US Navy Blue Angels, and the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks. US Navy Fleet Week will be moved to coincide with the six-day event.

According to a New York City Economic Development Corporation study, Sail4th 250 is projected to generate a $2.85 billion economic impact for the city through tourism and event-related spending. NBCUniversal Local is a national media partner and will provide live coverage across television, streaming, and digital platforms.

Once berthed, the tall ships — including INS Sudarshini — will be open for free public visitation until July 8, offering visitors a rare glimpse into historic naval platforms from around the world.

NS Sudarshini, a Class A three-masted barque, was built by Goa Shipyard Ltd and commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2012. Designed by renowned naval architect Colin Mudie, the ship is a follow-on to INS Tarangini and serves as a premier sail training and character-building platform for naval cadets.

Measuring 54 metres in length, Sudarshini carries 20 sails, over 7.5 km of rope, and has a sail area of more than 1,000 square metres. With a complement of officers, sailors, and up to 30 cadets, the vessel can remain at sea for 20 days and operate under both sail and power.

The ship has recently completed a 127-day voyage across Southeast Asia, visiting 13 ports in nine ASEAN nations and training 150 cadets, retracing centuries-old maritime trade routes.

Its presence in New York Harbor for America’s 250th anniversary underscores India’s growing naval diplomacy, maritime heritage, and expanding engagement with the United States at a time when both nations emphasise a free, open, and secure maritime order.

As global fleets converge on New York in July 2026, INS Sudarshini will represent India’s symbol of friendship, seamanship, and shared democratic values at a landmark moment in American history.

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