INS Sunayna returns to Kochi, concluding landmark multinational IOS SAGAR deployment across Indian Ocean
New Delhi, May 20. The Indian Navy on May 20 marked the completion of the landmark IOS SAGAR deployment as INS Sunayna sailed into Kochi harbour to a ceremonial water cannon salute after an extensive multinational mission across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The deployment brought together 38 personnel from 16 partner countries aboard the Indian naval vessel, underscoring India’s role as a preferred security partner and its commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation, interoperability and capacity-building among regional navies.
The joint mission involved participation from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Leste and the United Arab Emirates – making it one of the most wide-ranging operational engagements conducted in the region.
Conducted under the theme ‘One Ocean, One Mission’, IOS SAGAR reflected India’s push for an inclusive and rules-based maritime order through sustained regional engagement. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
At Kochi, the ship was escorted by Fast Interceptor Craft and received by senior naval officers at Southern Naval Command. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, presided over the flag-in ceremony and commended the multinational crew for their professionalism and seamless integration during the prolonged deployment.
Addressing the personnel, he said the mission demonstrated the Navy’s proactive efforts to enhance interoperability and coordinated responses to emerging maritime security challenges. He noted that such collaborative deployments improve collective capacity to counter non-traditional threats including piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, smuggling and other unlawful activities at sea.
The mission, flagged off from Mumbai on April 2 by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, included port calls at Malé, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Yangon, Chattogram and Colombo. Activities during the voyage ranged from passage exercises and cross-deck interactions to subject matter expert exchanges, seamanship drills and maritime security discussions with partner navies.
Prior to departure, the multinational crew underwent intensive harbour training at Kochi covering navigation, firefighting, damage control, communication procedures, VBSS operations and advanced bridgemanship. They also participated in the IONS IMEX 2026 table-top exercise, further boosting operational preparedness.
The successful culmination of IOS SAGAR, the Navy said, marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime outreach and its efforts to build trusted partnerships for cooperative security across the Indian Ocean.
