Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently flagged off the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR from the strategically significant Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. This initiative, part of India’s broader maritime vision, aims to strengthen regional security and foster international cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The IOS SAGAR mission, which stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region,” reflects India’s commitment to ensuring peace, prosperity, and collective security in the maritime domain.
The ship, INS Sunayna, embarked on this mission with 44 naval personnel from nine friendly nations, including Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. This collaborative effort underscores India’s dedication to building stronger ties with its maritime neighbors and promoting a safer and more inclusive maritime environment.
During his visit, Rajnath Singh also inaugurated several key infrastructure projects at the Karwar Naval Base under the ambitious Project Seabird. This project is a significant step in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities, with state-of-the-art facilities designed to support 32 ships, submarines, and other naval assets. The newly developed infrastructure includes advanced operational, repair, and logistics facilities, which are expected to bolster India’s naval power and operational readiness in the region.
The Defence Minister highlighted the importance of the IOS SAGAR mission and the expanded naval base in reinforcing India’s role as a responsible maritime power. He emphasized that these initiatives align with India’s vision of “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions” (MAHASAGAR), which seeks to ensure equality of rights and duties among nations in the IOR.
This event coincided with the 10th anniversary of the SAGAR initiative and National Maritime Day, further underscoring India’s commitment to maritime security and international collaboration. The expansion of the Karwar Naval Base and the launch of IOS SAGAR are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring stability and fostering partnerships among nations.
