Indian Navy’s IOS SAGAR completes Kochi training phase, advances maritime cooperation in Indian Ocean Region
Kochi, March 27. The Indian Navy’s IOS SAGAR initiative has marked a key step forward in regional maritime collaboration with the completion of an intensive harbour training phase at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The programme underscores India’s growing emphasis on cooperative security and capacity building among partner navies in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Amid rising maritime challenges in the IOR – including piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, natural disasters, and the need to secure critical sea lanes – the initiative seeks to improve interoperability and shared operational understanding among participating nations. Naval officials noted that closer coordination and common procedures are increasingly vital to tackle complex maritime threats that transcend national boundaries.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on March 27, over two weeks, multinational naval personnel underwent an intensive training capsule across the Indian Navy’s premier professional schools. The curriculum covered core naval competencies such as seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety at sea, firefighting, and damage control. Specialised modules, including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and advanced bridgemanship, were also part of the programme.
A notable feature of the training was the extensive use of modern simulators and advanced training infrastructure, allowing participants to engage in realistic, scenario-based exercises. This blend of classroom instruction and hands-on simulation helped enhance decision-making skills and operational readiness in a controlled environment.
Training conducted under the supervision of the Flag Officer Sea Training familiarised the international crew with Indian Navy procedures and operational practices. The Indian Naval Workup Team also conducted focused sea-training modules aimed at building coordination and synergy among the participating navies.
The IOS SAGAR initiative, described by officials as reflecting the spirit of ‘One Ocean, One Mission’, facilitated exchanges of best practices and strengthened professional bonds among partner countries. Following the harbour phase, the programme will now move into its operational deployment stage, involving joint activities at sea and port engagements across the region.
The exercise highlights the Indian Navy’s role as a preferred maritime training partner and aligns with India’s broader maritime vision under MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), aimed at fostering a secure, stable, and cooperative maritime environment in the Indian Ocean.
