New Delhi, Mar 27: The Indian Navy has successfully completed a key phase of its ‘IOS SAGAR’ initiative, with personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries undergoing intensive harbour training at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.
The milestone marks a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building across the Indian Ocean Region, amid evolving security and operational challenges.
The Indian Ocean Region continues to face a range of common threats, including piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, and natural disasters, along with the need to secure vital sea lanes of communication. Naval officials emphasised that tackling these challenges requires closer coordination, interoperability, and shared operational understanding among regional partners.
Over a two-week period, multinational crews underwent a structured and intensive training programme across premier Indian Navy training institutions. The curriculum included specialised modules such as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations were also part of the programme, equipping participants with practical skills for real-world maritime security scenarios.
A key highlight of the training was the use of modern simulators and advanced infrastructure, allowing trainees to engage in realistic, scenario-based exercises. These hands-on sessions were designed to improve decision-making and operational readiness in complex maritime situations.
The programme combined classroom instruction with practical drills, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience aligned with contemporary naval requirements. Officials noted that the initiative encouraged meaningful exchanges of best practices, while also strengthening trust, teamwork, and camaraderie among international crews.
Following the successful harbour phase, the IOS SAGAR initiative will now move into its next stage, operational deployment. This will include joint exercises at sea and port engagements across the region. Through such collaborative efforts, the Indian Navy aims to contribute to a more secure, stable, and prosperous maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region.
