Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 01 May 25, marking another important milestone in her ongoing operational deployment across the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The ship's arrival follows the successful completion of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance mission of Mauritius, undertaken in coordination with National Coast Guard Mauritius.

The ship was accorded a warm welcome and received by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, and the Defence Adviser. The port call will feature a host of professional and cultural exchanges, including cross-deck visits involving multinational crew, and interactions with the CDF and senior officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and a joint Yoga session.

These engagements aim to reinforce longstanding defence ties and mutual trust between India and Seychelles while deepening the spirit of cooperation among regional maritime partners.

INS Sunayna, designated as IOS Sagar, has embarked a multinational crew comprising 44 naval personnel from 09 friendly foreign nations of the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The deployment exemplifies India's commitment to fostering regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building in the spirit of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Earlier, the ship made port calls at Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), and Port Louis (Mauritius), engaging with local navies and maritime security stakeholders to train together, exchange best practices, and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding.

The ship is scheduled to depart Port Victoria on 02 May 25 for her final port of call, Male, Maldives, where she will continue her collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission.

INS Sunayna, a state-of-the-art Saryu class NOPV is equipped with medium and close-range gunnery weapons and modern electronic warfare suites, including missile defence measures. She can also carry a helicopter, which enhances her operational and surveillance capability.

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