Colombo hosts final port call of IOS SAGAR deployment
Carrying the message of “One Ocean, One Mission,” the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, INS Sunayna, arrived in Colombo, marking the final stop of a multinational maritime mission aimed at strengthening regional security, cooperation and naval interoperability across the Indian Ocean.
A welcome ceremony for the ship was held at the Colombo Port yesterday. The Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Defence Advisor to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, Captain Anand Mukundan and Commanding Officer of IOS SAGAR, Commander Siddharth Chaudhary participated in the welcome ceremony. The Ship arrived at the Colombo Port on Thursday marking its seventh and final port call in the second edition of the deployment.
IOS SAGAR was flagged off from Mumbai on April 2, 2026, following the completion of combined harbour training for a multinational crew of officers and sailors from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Singapore, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste and the UAE at Indian Naval training establishments. The training covered seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety of life at sea, firefighting and damage control, as well as specialised modules including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and advanced bridgemanship.
The initiative reflects the vision of “One Ocean, One Mission,” aimed at strengthening cooperation among maritime partners to ensure regional maritime security. The deployment also aligns with the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR), highlighting the Indian Navy’s role in fostering cooperative engagement in the Indian Ocean region.
Colombo marks the final port of call of the ongoing deployment, with participating officers and sailors now nearing the completion of their voyage.
The ship earlier visited Male, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Yangon, Chittagong and Colombo as part of its regional itinerary.
Commander Siddharth Chaudhary, Commanding Officer said the Indian Ocean has long connected India and Sri Lanka through trade, culture and shared aspirations and continues to unite regional partners in a common commitment to peace, stability and prosperity.
He said the visit to Colombo reaffirms the maritime partnership and the shared belief that challenges at sea are best addressed through cooperation, trust and interoperability among friendly nations. Meanwhile, Defence Advisor to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, Captain Anand Mukundan, said the initiative is a significant effort in bringing together the Navies of neighbouring countries for a common mission.
