IOS Sagar returns to Kochi with personnel of nine friendly navies, coast guards

Indian Navy's Indian Ocean Ship Sagar returns to Kochi after joint mission with friendly navies, enhancing regional maritime cooperation.

Indian naval personnel and 44 personnel of nine friendly navies and coast guards from Asia and Africa on board Indian Navy’s Indian Ocean Ship Sagar (IOS Sagar) returned to Kochi on Thursday evening after completing a month-long voyage to south-west Indian Ocean region nations and Africa.

Having jointly operated the vessel with their Indian counterparts, they and Indian Navy personnel called at five countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) during the past month. The crew, who were from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, jointly manned the ship alongside the Indian Navy crew, signifying the motto of ‘One Ocean One Mission,’ said a communication.

The foreign personnel had undergone training at the Southern Naval Command here before sailing on board IOS Sagar, amid, among others, the growing influence of China in the region, the renewed threat of piracy, and the continued threat from Houthi rebels to global shipping.

Escorted by two fast-interceptor crafts, the vessel was received by the Indian Naval Band. Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, was present.

The vessel had been flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from Karwar on April 5. During deployment, the ship called at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male. The key highlights of the mission included joint naval exercises, professional and cultural exchanges, and joint EEZ surveillance of key IOR nations — Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Strengthening regional maritime cooperation between India and African nations, the ship participated in AIKEYME 2025, alongside the Navy’s INS Chennai and INS Kesari, an exercise that was jointly hosted by India and Tanzania from April 13 to 18. It provided an opportunity for the crew of lOS Sagar to participate in the joint harbour phase and also interact with the participating navies. At Mozambique, collaborative activities and community engagements were held to promote operational synergy and interoperability with the Mozambique Navy.

The crew of IOS Sagar interacted with the Mauritius Police Force and also undertook coordinated patrols with the Mauritius Coast Guard. A visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles, was marked with cross deck visits, training exchange, joint Yoga sessions, and maritime engagement with the Seychelles Defence Force. The ship held collaborative maritime security and regional outreach missions at Maldives prior to entering Kochi, the release said.