VICTORIA, Seychelles — Indian naval vessel IOS SAGAR (formerly INS Sunayna) arrived at Port Victoria yesterday, marking the final leg of its regional mission under the banner ‘One Ocean, One Mission.’ The vessel was warmly welcomed by senior officials, including Major General Michael Rosette, chief of defence forces of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF); Indian High Commissioner Kartik Pande; Captain V. Shirdikant, defence advisor to the Indian High Commission; and Brigadier General Jean Atalla, deputy chief of defence forces.
Described as a pioneering initiative, IOS SAGAR is a strategic effort to enhance collaboration among navies and maritime agencies across the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Indian Navy stated that the mission serves not only as a platform for multilateral training but also as a testament to India’s growing role as a ‘preferred security partner’ and ‘first responder’ in the region. It also reflects India’s commitment to its maritime vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR).
The IOS SAGAR mission was officially launched on April 5, 2025, from Naval Base Karwar by the Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh. The initiative brings together 44 international naval trainees from nine friendly foreign nations who previously underwent a specialised training programme at INS Dronacharya in Kochi, India. During the vessel’s stay in Seychelles, high-ranking military officials engaged with the multinational crew in a formal gathering. Among the crew was a four-member team from the Seychelles Defence Forces, led by 2nd Lieutenant T. Cedras. The Seychellois contingent highlighted the value of joint training exercises covering areas such as firefighting, damage control, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), bridge operations, engine room management, and boat handling.
