In the last leg of a historic journey, the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar has finally made the port call at Victoria, Seychelles, on 1st May 2025. This marks a significant waypoint in the vessel’s operational deployment across the South-West Indian Ocean Region (SWIOR), furthering India’s strategic outreach initiative.
The arrival of the Indian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (NVOP), INS Sunayna, designated as IOS Sagar for this mission, follows the successful completion of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance mission of Mauritius, done in coordination with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius. The collaboration highlights India’s commitment to empowering regional maritime security and posturing to remain dominant in the region as a result of the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
Reception At Port Victoria, Seychelles
The IOS Sagar reached Port Victoria to a warm ceremonial welcome, attended by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Seychelles, the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, and the Indian Defence Adviser. The vessel is expected to remain at port for two days, during which the crew will engage in a series of professional and cultural interactions with the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). This will include cross-deck visits, bilateral exchanges with senior SDF officials, and a joint yoga session symbolizing holistic cooperation and camaraderie between the two nations.
Learning More About IOS Sagar
IOS Sagar (INS Sunayna) is currently manned by a 44-member multinational crew, a representation of the solidarity and objectivity of the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. As per India’s doctrine of maritime cooperation in the SWIOR, nine friendly foreign countries have stationed marine personnel on the vessel, underlining inclusive regional maritime partnerships and sustainable growth, which is emblematic of India’s SAGAR vision.
The vessel, an indigenously built Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), is equipped with an array of medium- and close-range weapons, electronic warfare systems, and advanced surveillance dockets. IOS Sagar is also capable of launching rotorcraft, which enhances its maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in both littoral and high seas operations.
The ship’s versatile design enables it to execute a range of missions, including anti-piracy patrols, EEZ surveillance, fleet support operations, and maritime law enforcement duties. Hence, it serves as a cornerstone of the “Make in India” initiative, championed by the government, that focuses on indigenous defense manufacturing and self-reliability.
Strategic Importance of The SAGAR Initiative
The deployment of IOS Sagar under the initiative is strategically designed to bolster India-Seychelles defense ties and enhance interoperability. In particular, the latest port call continues a pattern of structured naval diplomacy and capacity-building engagements across Africa’s eastern seaboard and the Indian Ocean island nations.
As per the Indian Navy officials, such deployments not only extend India’s naval footprint but also actively contribute to the enhancement of regional maritime security and stability, which is in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. Thus promoting the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
The recent deployment also highlights the Navy’s proactive approach in shaping a stable naval environment through positive engagement with partner nations. This aligns with the objectives discussed in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
Previous Half of The Journey
Before making port at Victoria, the vessel had stopped at Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), and Port Louis (Mauritius). These port calls have resulted in joint naval exercises, personnel exchanges, and shared training modules focusing on anti-piracy, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and law enforcement operations at sea, further strengthening maritime ties and naval diplomacy.
What Lies Ahead?
After resting for a day, the IOS Sagar is scheduled to depart Seychelles on 02 May 2025 for Malé, Maldives, thus concluding this journey. There, it will continue its regional outreach by engaging with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), conducting joint operations at open sea, and participating in community engagement activities.
This is part of a larger strategic objective, in line with the SAGAR initiative, to ensure freedom of navigation, uphold the rule of law in international waters, and support the regional maritime security infrastructure. It aims to bolster India’s evolving role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
