Kochi: Cheers echoed across the naval jetty as INS Sunayna, operating as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR 26, sailed into its home base in Kochi on May 20, marking the successful conclusion of a pioneering multinational deployment that underscored India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Families and loved ones, waving the tricolour with pride and emotion, welcomed home the crew comprising Indian naval personnel and 38 officers and sailors from 16 partner nations. The homecoming captured the essence of seafaring life, long months of duty, sacrifice, and unwavering camaraderie, now culminating in joyous reunions. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, commended the crew for their “professionalism, seamless integration, and exceptional teamwork” throughout the challenging voyage.
The second edition of IOS SAGAR, which commenced on March 16 at Kochi, embodied India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and broader MAHASAGAR vision. For the first time in such scale, naval personnel from countries including Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Indonesia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Maldives, UAE, Malaysia, Myanmar, Zambia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, and Bangladesh trained and operated together aboard an Indian warship. Port calls were made at strategic locations such as Male, Jakarta, Singapore, and Colombo, facilitating professional exchanges, PASSEX exercises, and capacity-building initiatives.
The deployment was not without its trials. Navigating the vast and complex IOR demanded resilience against unpredictable weather patterns, including monsoon influences, while maintaining high standards of interoperability among crews from diverse linguistic and operational backgrounds. Logistical coordination for a mixed crew, sustained operational tempo across thousands of nautical miles, and the need to uphold stringent maritime security protocols amid varying regional dynamics tested the participants. Yet, through rigorous pre-deployment harbour training at Southern Naval Command and hands-on sea phases, the multinational team achieved remarkable cohesion, conducting joint drills, communication exercises, and shared operational procedures.
Defence analysts view such initiatives as more than tactical exercises. By placing foreign personnel aboard Indian vessels and fostering personal bonds at sea, IOS SAGAR builds trust that formal agreements alone cannot achieve. These efforts amplify India’s soft power, positioning the Indian Navy as the preferred security partner in the IOR through people-to-people connections, knowledge sharing, and a demonstrated commitment to collective prosperity and stability. In an era of contested maritime spaces, such voyages reinforce an inclusive, rules-based order, enhancing India’s image as a benign yet capable maritime leader.
As the crew disembarks, the echoes of this mission will resonate far beyond Kochi. IOS SAGAR 26 not only strengthens interoperability but also weaves a tighter web of maritime friendships, advancing the shared goal of a secure and peaceful Indian Ocean, one ocean, one mission.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
