Kochi: INS Sunayna returned to Kochi on 8 May after completing a month-long deployment under the Indian Navy’s first multilateral initiative in the region, Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar. The mission involved collaborative participation from naval personnel of nine Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries and featured multiple port calls, joint exercises, and maritime engagements across South West IOR.
Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, welcomed the crew at the Naval Base in Kochi and lauded the participation of sailors from India and the nine partner nations. The successful mission is being seen as a new phase in regional maritime engagement under the broader strategic vision of MAHASAGAR, Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region.
IOS Sagar had set sail from Karwar on 5 April after being flagged off by the Defence Minister. Over the course of its deployment, the ship visited Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male. Its activities included joint naval exercises, cultural and professional exchanges, and coordinated Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance with Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
A highlight of the mission was participation in AIKEYME 2025, a joint exercise co-hosted by India and Tanzania from 13 to 18 April. INS Chennai and INS Kesari also took part in the exercise, which involved harbour interactions and sea phases with regional navies.
In Mozambique, the crew engaged in joint activities and community initiatives with the Mozambique Navy, aimed at improving coordination and operational synergy. At Port Louis, the crew carried out patrols with the Mauritius Coast Guard and engaged with the Mauritius Police Force. In Seychelles, the visit was marked by training sessions, deck visits, and joint yoga activities with the Seychelles Defence Force.
Before returning to Kochi, the ship docked in the Maldives, where it continued regional outreach and maritime cooperation efforts. Throughout the mission, INS Sunayna served as a floating platform for training, joint learning, and regional coordination in maritime security.
Forty-four personnel from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania sailed alongside the Indian Navy crew. According to the Navy, the crew's integration “truly signified the motto of ‘One Ocean One Mission’.” The international crew had earlier undergone combined harbour and sea training in Kochi in March to prepare for the deployment.
The Indian Navy described the mission as a major step in enhancing mutual understanding, interoperability, and maritime friendships with IOR nations, further anchoring India's position as a reliable partner in regional maritime security.
BI Bureau
