In a significant step to bolster regional maritime security and international cooperation, the Indian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sunayna embarked on the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission from here on Saturday.
The mission was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and features participation of 44 naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs), marking a unique convergence of maritime capabilities under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
As part of the deployment, INS Sunayna will make port calls at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), and Port Victoria (Seychelles). The ship will host multinational training exercises, including firefighting, damage control, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), bridge operations, seamanship, engine room management, and boat handling.
The initiative is aimed at fostering regional partnerships and enhancing interoperability between the Indian Navy and its maritime partners in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region. The international crew aboard the vessel will undergo practical training based on modules taught at Indian naval professional schools in Kochi.
Defence officials described the mission as a “pioneering effort” in regional maritime diplomacy and a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to a safe and inclusive Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The flag-off ceremony was streamed live on the Indian Navy’s official YouTube channel.
