INS Sunayna docks in Singapore on IOS SAGAR mission, deepens India-Singapore maritime engagement
New Delhi, April 28. The Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna reached Changi Naval Base on April 26 as the fourth halt of her ongoing Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR deployment, undertaken under India’s MAHASAGAR vision for cooperative maritime security.
Sailing with a multinational crew drawn from 16 friendly foreign countries, the ship has been deployed across the Indian Ocean Region and previously made port calls at Malé, Phuket, and Jakarta before arriving in Singapore.
The port call underscored the close maritime partnership between India and Singapore. India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, visited the ship and commended the crew for advancing interoperability and maritime cooperation under the SAGAR framework, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on April 28.
Commanding Officer Siddharth Chaudhary paid tribute at the Kranji War Memorial and held discussions with Chuah Meng Soon, Commander of the 9th Flotilla of the Republic of Singapore Navy, on expanding avenues for maritime collaboration.
As part of public outreach, the vessel was opened to visitors, including students and digital creators, offering insights into naval life. On April 27, the IOS SAGAR crew joined members of the Indian diaspora for a themed run, ‘One Ocean, One Mission’, to promote maritime awareness and unity.
Professional exchanges with the Singapore Navy form a key part of the visit. Planned engagements include visits to the RSN’s navigation and damage-control simulators, the Information Fusion Centre, and the Navy Museum, aimed at sharing best practices and enhancing regional maritime domain awareness. Additional interactions – such as a joint yoga session, a think tank exchange onboard, and a formal deck reception – are intended to broaden stakeholder engagement.
INS Sunayna is set to sail from Singapore on April 29 to continue her mission of fostering maritime cooperation and collective security across the Indian Ocean Region.
