IOS Sagar Mission Strengthens Regional Maritime Partnerships Across IOR

The Indian Navy’s first-of-its-kind multilateral maritime initiative, Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, concluded its landmark month-long deployment in the southwestern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and returned triumphantly to Kochi on 08 May 2025. The deployment marked a major milestone in India’s efforts to promote maritime security cooperation, build mutual capacities, and deepen regional engagement among Indian Ocean littorals.

The vessel was manned by a unique and diverse joint crew of 44 personnel from nine Indian Ocean countries—Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania—alongside Indian Navy sailors. This cooperative model reflected the mission’s motto: One Ocean, One Mission, and embodied the spirit of camaraderie and shared maritime stewardship that underpins India’s broader regional outreach policy.

Flag-Off and Deployment Journey

IOS Sagar was ceremoniously flagged off by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, at Karwar Naval Base on 05 April 2025. The mission was strategically planned to cover vital maritime nodes and friendly ports of key IOR nations, including Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), and Male (Maldives).

The deployment comprised multiple facets of maritime diplomacy, including naval exercises, maritime domain awareness (MDA) operations, joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, community outreach, and cultural exchanges with host navies and law enforcement agencies. The month-long voyage culminated in a celebratory reception at the Southern Naval Command (SNC), where Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, lauded the collaborative spirit and professionalism demonstrated by the entire crew.

Highlights of the Mission

AIKEYME 2025 – A Major Indo-African Naval Exercise

One of the mission's most prominent features was the participation of IOS Sagar in the AIKEYME 2025 naval exercise, held off the coast of Tanzania from 13 to 18 April 2025. Conducted in conjunction with Indian Naval Ships INS Chennai and INS Kesari, and co-hosted by India and Tanzania, AIKEYME 2025 served as a strategic Indo-African maritime exercise that facilitated joint harbour phases, cross-deck operations, and sea maneuvers. It significantly strengthened India’s defense partnership with East African nations while reinforcing interoperability and trust among participating navies.

Strategic Engagements in Mozambique and Mauritius

While docked in Mozambique, IOS Sagar conducted various collaborative events including joint EEZ surveillance, interoperability drills, and humanitarian engagements with the Mozambique Navy. These interactions not only enhanced operational synergy but also deepened bilateral ties through community-centered outreach efforts.

Similarly, in Mauritius, the ship’s crew engaged in close coordination with the Mauritius Coast Guard and the Mauritius Police Force. These operations included patrol coordination, training sessions, and maritime safety awareness campaigns—demonstrating India's unwavering support for the maritime safety and security of its island partners.

Diplomatic and Cultural Exchanges in Seychelles and Maldives

The ship's stop at Port Victoria in Seychelles featured rich cross-cultural exchanges including joint yoga sessions, deck visits, and training exercises with the Seychelles Defence Forces. The interactions emphasized holistic capacity building and mutual learning, reflecting the Indian Navy's role as a net security provider in the region.

Before concluding its journey, IOS Sagar visited Male, Maldives, where it participated in regional outreach and maritime security collaboration with Maldivian defense agencies. The mission helped reinforce India’s strategic commitment to the Maldives and showcased proactive multilateral cooperation in the IOR.

A Symbol of India’s Strategic Maritime Vision

The initiative represents a strategic demonstration of India’s vision of MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region. It underlines India's positioning as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ among IOR nations, with a strong emphasis on collaborative operations, disaster relief preparedness, and regional capacity building.

The international crew, trained together in March 2025 during a preparatory phase at Southern Naval Command, formed a seamless team that operated the ship with admirable coordination throughout the voyage. This blend of diverse naval professionals into a singular, mission-driven force has set a new precedent for multilateral maritime missions in the Indian Ocean.

Concluding Reflections

The successful execution of the IOS Sagar mission highlights the Indian Navy’s growing role as a facilitator of peace, cooperation, and security in the Indo-Pacific. By combining operational training, humanitarian engagements, and strategic port calls, the mission not only reinforced maritime partnerships but also created a vibrant platform for enduring naval friendships.

As India continues to lead cooperative initiatives under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, missions like IOS Sagar exemplify its unwavering commitment to upholding a stable, inclusive, and secure Indian Ocean environment.