Visits of Indian Naval Ships are classified in three categories-
(a) Formal:- Formal visits are made as a matter of courtesy and involve full ceremony including the exchange of official calls and the firing of gun salutes, except as provided in regulation 27(5)
(b) Informal.- Informal visits are also courtesy visits, but official formalities are restricted to the exchange of official calls and firing of salutes, except as provided in regulation 27(5).
(c) Routine and Operational:- Routine or operational visits are those made in the normal course of duties of Indian Naval Ships for such purposes as exercises and practices, obtaining supplies, etc. No formal ceremonies or calls are required.
(2) Formal and informal visits to Commonwealth ports shall be arranged by the Government by notifying the Government concerned that a visit is intended. Indian Naval Ships need not ask prior concurrence of the Government or administration concerned, before visiting a Commonwealth port.
(3) Routine and operational visits to Commonwealth ports shall be arranged by the Chief of the Naval Staff direct with the British or the Commonwealth Naval Authority except under circumstances specified in sub-regulation (6), intimation being sent at the same time to the Foreign Service Officer concerned for his information.
(4) All categories of visits to foreign ports shall be arranged by the Government and the prior concurrence of the Government concerned to the proposed visit, shall be necessary in each case except in the circumstances specified in sub-regulation (6)
(5) When the preliminary arrangements have been made, the Senior Officer of the visiting fleet or squadron, or the Commanding Officer of a single ship, shall notify the Indian Consular Authorities direct of the date and time of the intended arrival of the squadron or ship and the probable duration of the visit. The requirements of the Fleet or Squadron or ship, such as fresh provisions, water and the like shall also be intimated. Ceremonial visits shall be exchanged in accordance with Regulations 47 to 50.
The customary visit to the Governor or chief authority at a foreign port shall always be made unless there is some special reason for not doing so. Communication shall always be established with the Consular Officer on arrival.
(6) In the event of a visit of Indian Naval Ship to a foreign port being in an emergency, like stress of weather, landing sick personnel, and the like, the Commanding Officer of the ship shall inform the Consular Officer if any at the port to be visited, of the proposed visit and request him to inform the local authorities. The Indian Representative at the seat of Government of the country visited shall be notified at the same time that the visit will be made, and requested to inform the Government of the informal character of the proposed visit.
Communication shall be established with the Consular Officer on arrival, and the Commanding Officer should consult with him as to the practicability of exchanging any ceremonial visits. When a call is made at a naval port, visits shall always be paid to the naval authority.