HMAS Warramunga is taking part in India’s International Fleet Review and Exercise Milan, strengthening Australia’s relationships with regional partners and contributing to a secure, stable Indo‑Pacific.

Among the ship’s newest sailors supporting this engagement is Seaman Puneet Bandaru. 

Born in Hyderabad, India, he migrated to Sydney, Australia, in 2005.

Seaman Bandaru said much of his extended family still lives in the bustling city of Hyderabad.

“My grandma, my cousins, Mum’s side and Dad’s side, aunties, uncles – everyone’s there,” Seaman Bandaru said.

“It’s one of the oldest cities in India. It’s always alive, always moving. 

“It’s like a connecting point for India, right in the middle, linking the South and the North with a blend of cultures.”

For Seaman Bandaru, the deployment’s port visit at Visakhapatnam (Vizag) carried a personal connection. Vizag and Hyderabad are linked by the local language of Telugu, spoken by around seven per cent of India’s population.

'Coming from India and understanding the culture, I can help bridge those connections. ' 

“In Vizag, and across Andhra Pradesh, almost everyone speaks Telugu,” Seaman Bandaru said. 

“Other regions speak different languages – Gujarati in the West, Hindi in the North and Malyalam in the South.”

When he learned Warramunga would be visiting Visakhapatnam, his excitement was immediate.

“When I first saw that we were going to Vizag, I went nuts,” Seaman Bandaru said. 

“It’s the closest place to Hyderabad culturally, and I even have a second cousin there.”

When asked what he is most looking forward to in India, Seaman Bandaru didn’t hesitate.

“Food. One hundred per cent, the food,” he said.

“I can’t wait to buy sugar cane juice – it’s insanely good. They make it on a machine with metal gears that squeeze the cane into juice. Add a bit of ginger and lemon and it hits the spot.

“Then there’s street food like Panipuri or Golgappa, that authenticity is what I’m looking for.”

Beyond the personal connection, Seaman Bandaru sees the deployment as an opportunity to contribute to Warramunga’s mission and Australia’s broader regional engagement.

HMAS Warramunga is visiting India as part of Australia’s Regional Presence Deployment program, which enhances cooperation and security with other nations in the region.

'I’m keen to use my language skills to support the team and help us connect more effectively.'

“Regional Presence Deployments are all about strengthening partnerships and building trust,” Seaman Bandaru said. 

“Coming from India and understanding the culture, I can help bridge those connections. 

“There’s always something to learn from both sides, and that’s what makes these deployments so important.”

As Warramunga prepares to work alongside the Indian Navy and other regional partners, Seaman Bandaru is ready to support the ship’s multinational engagement efforts.

“The captain mentioned I could help as a middle point for communication, even as a translator, if necessary,” Seaman Bandaru said. 

“I’m keen to use my language skills to support the team and help us connect more effectively.”

For Seaman Bandaru, the Regional Presence Deployment also carries a sense of legacy. 

“My grandma used to tell me stories about travelling through the Andaman Sea to its islands,” Seaman Bandaru said. 

“She did it 50 years ago – and now I get to see the same waters with my own eyes. It feels like I’m bringing those stories full circle.”