Indian Navy’s multinational maritime mission IOS SAGAR concluded successfully on Wednesday with the return of INS Sunayna to Kochi after an extensive deployment across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), marking a major step in India’s regional maritime outreach and security cooperation efforts.
The deployment, undertaken jointly by the Indian Navy and 16 partner nations, involved 38 personnel from countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the mission showcased India’s growing role as a preferred security partner in the region while promoting interoperability, capacity building and coordinated maritime operations among IOR navies.
Carrying forward the spirit of “One Ocean, One Mission”, IOS SAGAR reflected India’s maritime vision under SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the Region — and MAHASAGAR, which focuses on mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions. The mission aimed to strengthen collective maritime security, regional stability and cooperative growth in the Indian Ocean Region, the Ministry said.
The ship received a ceremonial welcome with water cannon salutes upon entering Kochi harbour and was escorted by Naval Fast Interceptor Craft. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command, attended the flag-in ceremony and praised the multinational crew for their professionalism, teamwork and seamless operational integration throughout the deployment.
Addressing the personnel, Vice Admiral Saxena said IOS SAGAR reflected the Indian Navy’s proactive approach towards enhancing interoperability and coordinated maritime responses to evolving security challenges in the region. He highlighted that stronger collaboration among regional maritime forces was essential to maintain a secure, stable and prosperous maritime environment.
The deployment also helped improve operational coordination and mutual understanding through joint training sessions, professional exchanges and collaborative maritime activities.
According to the Navy, such engagements boost the collective capability of regional navies to tackle non-traditional threats including piracy, illegal fishing, arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling and other unlawful activities at sea.
IOS SAGAR was flagged off from Mumbai on April 2 by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. During the mission, INS Sunayna visited ports including Malé, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Yangon, Chattogram and Colombo.
The mission featured passage exercises, cross-deck interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, maritime security discussions and coordinated seamanship evolutions with partner navies and maritime agencies. Prior to departure, the multinational crew underwent extensive harbour training at Kochi’s Southern Naval Command, covering navigation, firefighting, communication procedures, VBSS operations and advanced bridgemanship. The crew also participated in the IONS Maritime Exercise IMEX 2026 Table Top Exercise.
According to the Defence Ministry, the successful completion of IOS SAGAR is being seen as a major milestone in India’s maritime diplomacy, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s commitment towards strengthening trusted partnerships and promoting cooperative security across the Indian Ocean Region.
