 Sunayna has returned to its home port in Kochi after completing the Indian Navy’s inaugural Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR deployment){kind=link}
MAY 08: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna has returned to its home port in Kochi after completing the Indian Navy’s inaugural Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR deployment—a strategic month-long mission in the southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that significantly bolstered regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building.
The initiative marks a milestone in India’s diplomatic and defense engagement with Indian Ocean littoral states, aligning with the Government of India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region). The deployment was flagged off by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh from Karwar on April 5, 2025, and culminated with a grand reception at Kochi Naval Base, where Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, commended the joint crew.
During the mission, INS Sunayna, jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR nations—Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania—conducted port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Malé. The mission featured joint naval exercises, cross-deck exchanges, community engagement, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance alongside key partner navies.
A major highlight was AIKEYME 2025, a joint maritime exercise hosted by India and Tanzania from April 13–18, which included INS Chennai and INS Kesari. Collaborative activities in Mozambique and Mauritius strengthened operational synergy, while joint training and yoga sessions in Seychelles further enriched regional bonds.
The final leg of the deployment included strategic engagement in the Maldives, reinforcing India’s role as a “Preferred Security Partner” and “First Responder” in the region.
The success of IOS SAGAR, which began with preparatory training in Kochi in March 2025, is a testament to the seamless coordination between Indian and international personnel. With 44 crew members from partner nations working alongside the Indian Navy, the mission encapsulated the spirit of “One Ocean, One Mission.”
The deployment has not only advanced regional maritime security but also laid the groundwork for future cooperation under India’s growing maritime diplomacy.