Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, led by INS Sunayna, reached Phuket, Thailand, on 14 April 2026 after a six-day transit from Malé, Maldives. This is the second port call of its ongoing Indian Ocean Region deployment. The mission marks India’s maritime outreach, regional cooperation, and commitment to the vision of MAHASAGAR, or Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Mission Overview
IOS SAGAR began in March 2026 and was flagged off from Mumbai on 2 April 2026. The deployment includes an Indian Navy crew and 38 personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries. The ship is scheduled to visit Malé, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Yangon, Chittagong and Colombo. The initiative reflects the concept of One Ocean, One Mission and aims to deepen maritime partnerships across the Indian Ocean Region.
Strategic Significance
The current edition of IOS SAGAR also reflects India’s role as Chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. The mission is designed to strengthen naval cooperation, improve interoperability, and support capacity building among participating countries. It underlines India’s effort to contribute to regional security and stability through sustained maritime engagement.
Activities At Phuket
During the port call at Phuket, IOS SAGAR is scheduled to hold professional interactions with the Royal Thai Navy. These engagements are intended to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and mutual understanding. The visit also includes social, cultural and sporting events to promote camaraderie and people-to-people ties. The timing coincides with Songkran, the Thai New Year, offering scope for cultural exchange among the participating navies.
Training And Maritime Cooperation
During the transit from Malé, the multinational crew conducted seamanship evolutions and operational drills at sea. These activities were aimed at improving collective readiness and operational interoperability. The deployment demonstrates the Indian Navy’s continued focus on maritime diplomacy, shared training, and cooperative security in the wider Indo-Pacific maritime space.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026