IOS SAGAR Mission Flagged Off from Mumbai to Boost Indo-Pacific Maritime Cooperation
The mission is being undertaken by INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, carrying naval personnel from India and 16 friendly foreign countries.
INS Sunayna embarks with personnel from 16 partner nations for regional security and training
Mumbai: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Thursday flagged off the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission from Mumbai, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s regional maritime cooperation and security framework.
The mission is being undertaken by INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, carrying naval personnel from India and 16 friendly foreign countries. The flag-off ceremony was attended by Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
Addressing the gathering, Seth said the IOS SAGAR initiative reflects India’s approach of “leadership through partnership, strength through unity, and progress through peace.” He emphasised that the mission aligns with India’s vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also highlighted that the initiative operationalises India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—by bringing partner nations together for training, collaboration, and shared maritime readiness.
Admiral Tripathi pointed to the evolving maritime security landscape, citing challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, narco-trafficking, and increasing competition over critical resources. He noted that the participation of 16 maritime nations in a joint operational mission underscores the importance of collective security in the Indian Ocean region.
The mission completed its Harbour Phase between March 16 and 29, enabling professional exchanges and coordinated training among participating personnel. The Sea Phase, scheduled from April 2 to May 20, will involve operational deployment across the South-Eastern Indian Ocean.
During the deployment, the ship will undertake port calls at Colombo, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Chittagong, Yangon, and Malé, before concluding the mission at Kochi.
Personnel onboard will undergo training in seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, maritime safety, firefighting, damage control, visit-board-search-and-seizure (VBSS) operations, and advanced bridge management, aimed at enhancing operational readiness in complex maritime environments.
The flag-off ceremony was also attended by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, along with representatives from participating countries.
