Indian’s IOS Sagar arrives in Colombo with multinational crew from 16 nations
COLOMBO – Indian Naval Ship Sunayna, deployed as IOS Sagar with a multinational crew representing 16 countries, is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Colombo on Friday (15) as part of India’s ongoing maritime outreach initiative aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and friendship in the Indian Ocean.
The Colombo visit marks the seventh port call of the second edition of the IOS Sagar deployment, undertaken by the Indian Navy under its ‘Bridges of Friendship’ initiative.
The vessel was flagged off from Mumbai on April 2 following the completion of an extensive joint harbour training program for officers and sailors from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Singapore, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Indian Navy, the multinational training program conducted at Indian naval establishments covered seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety at sea, firefighting and damage control, along with specialized modules including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and advanced bridge management.
During the Colombo port call, the ship’s Commanding Officer is expected to meet senior officials of the Sri Lanka Navy, including the Commander of the Western Naval Area and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet.
The visiting crew will also participate in professional exchanges and sporting events with Sri Lanka Navy personnel and undertake visits to several cultural and historical sites in Sri Lanka.
Indian authorities said the initiative reflects the vision of ‘One Ocean, One Mission’ and is intended to deepen engagement and cooperation among maritime partners in ensuring regional maritime security and stability.
The deployment is also aligned with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions’ (MAHASAGAR) vision, underscoring India’s efforts to strengthen cooperative maritime partnerships across the Indian Ocean region.
-ENCL
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