IOS Sagar returns to Kochi after month-long deployment: Indian Navy

Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna also known as IOS Sagar returned to the Naval Base in Kochi after successfully completing a monthlong deployment across the Indian Ocean Region an official statement said on ThursdayIt said that Vice Admiral V Srinivas Flag Officer CommandinginChief Southern Naval Command congratulated the crew of India and nine friendly foreign countries during the grand reception ceremony held at Naval Base in Kochi upon the return of IOS SagarThe successful completion of the deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores Indias commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests capacity building and enduring partnership with IOR nations it saidIndian Navys maiden initiative of Indian Ocean Ship Sagar jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR Navies concluded its month long deployment in SW IOR region and returned to Kochi on May 8 2025 the statement saidINS Sunayna returned to Kochi on May 8 after completing a monthlong Indian Ocean deployment under the IOS Sagar mission Jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR nations the ship visited several ports including DaresSalaam Port Louis and Male conducting naval exerciseshellip pictwittercomNAp2J8uadRmdash Mid Day mid_day May 8 2025IOS Sagar was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Karwar on April 5 2025During the deployment the ship undertook port calls at DaresSalaam Nacala Port Louis Port Victoria and MaleThe statement said that the mission included joint naval exercises professional and cultural exchanges and joint Exclusive Economic Zones EEZ surveillance of Tanzania Mozambique Mauritius and SeychellesIt said that strengthening regional maritime cooperation between India and African nations the ship participated in AIKEYME 2025 alongside INS Chennai and INS Kesari which was jointly hosted by India and Tanzania from 13 18 April 2025The exercise provided an opportunity for the crew of lOS Sagar to participate in the joint harbour phase and interact with the participating Navies At Mozambique a range of collaborative activities and community engagements were held promoting operational synergy and interoperability with the Mozambique Navy the statement saidIt further said that reinforcing the enduring bond between India and Mauritius the crew of IOS Sagar had fruitful engagement with the Mauritius Police Force and undertook coordinated patrol with the Mauritius Coast Guard Visit to Port Victoria Seychelles was marked with cross deck visits training exchange joint Yoga sessions and maritime engagement with Seychelles Defence ForceThe ship held collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission at Maldives prior entering KochiThe deployment exemplifies Indian Navys continued engagement with regional Navies and maritime security stakeholders of IOR nations to train together exchange best practices and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding the statement saidIt said that it was a unique experience for the 44 international crew of nine partner nations Comoros Kenya Madagascar Maldives Mauritius Mozambique Seychelles Silanka and Tanzania who jointly manned the ship alongside Indian Navy crew truly signifying the motto of One Ocean One MissionThe professional and seamless integration of the international crew working together as a well knit and cohesive team truly reflects the spirit of camaraderie and maritime friendship it saidThe mission is a testament to Indian Navys commitment as the First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in IOR towards the Government of lndias strategic vision of MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region the statement saidatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params