**Executive Summary**
The second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative commenced on March 16, 2026, to strengthen maritime security and partnerships within the Indian Ocean Region. Involving naval personnel from 16 Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) nations, the program facilitates joint training and sea deployments to enhance interoperability. This initiative aligns with India’s "SAGAR" and "MAHASAGAR" frameworks following the Indian Navy's assumption of the IONS chair in February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Program Structure and Phases**
* **Initial Training:** The program begins with professional training interactions at Indian Naval training establishments in Kochi.
* **Curriculum:** Participants are exposed to naval operations, seamanship practices, and maritime security concepts.
* **Sea Deployment:** Following the training phase, international participants sail onboard an Indian Naval Ship to take part in sea-based operational activities.
* **Regional Engagement:** The voyage includes maritime engagement activities and port visits to interact with partner navies and regional maritime agencies.
**Strategic Objectives and Vision**
* **Framework Alignment:** The initiative reflects the Government of India’s vision of "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the "MAHASAGAR" framework for mutual advancement.
* **Interoperability:** The program is designed to promote practical cooperation and a shared understanding of maritime operations among friendly foreign countries.
* **Collaborative Security:** The initiative aims to strengthen professional linkages, encourage the exchange of best practices, and address shared maritime challenges.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
**Impact**
As the current chair of the IONS, the Indian Navy leads the initiative by providing training facilities, personnel, and vessels for the program.
**Action Required**
Coordinate professional training in Kochi, manage shipboard integration of foreign participants, and execute planned regional port visits.
**16 Participating IONS Nations**
**Impact**
Naval personnel from these countries receive specialized training and the opportunity to enhance interoperability by sailing on an Indian Naval Ship.
**Action Required**
Participate in training modules and maritime engagement activities to foster professional linkages and exchange best practices.
**Regional Maritime Agencies**
**Impact**
These agencies benefit from increased interaction and a deeper collective understanding of regional maritime challenges.
**Action Required**
Engage with the IOS SAGAR participants during port visits and scheduled maritime engagement activities.
Key Entities Referenced
IOS SAGAR (Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR): An operational engagement programme designed to enable naval personnel from Friendly Foreign Countries to train and sail onboard Indian Naval Ships to promote maritime cooperation.
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): The Government of India’s strategic vision for maritime cooperation and security that serves as the foundation for the IOS SAGAR initiative.
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): A regional forum of Indian Ocean littoral states whose member nations participate in the initiative; the Indian Navy assumed its chair in February 2026.
MAHASAGAR: A broader maritime framework standing for 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions' which this initiative seeks to advance.
Indian Navy: The primary service branch of the Indian Armed Forces responsible for executing the IOS SAGAR programme and hosting international participants.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY CONTINUES IOS SAGAR
INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN MARITIME
PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIAN OCEAN NATIONS
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 1:04PM by PIB Delhi
Reaffirming India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the
second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced on 16 Mar 2026.
The Indian Navy assumed the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Feb 2026.
Therefore, this Edition includes participation from 16 IONS nations of the Indian Ocean Region(IOR).
The initiative builds on India’s long-standing maritime cooperation efforts and reflects the Government
of India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), while also advancing the
broader framework of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the
Regions.
IOS SAGAR is designed as a unique operational engagement programme that enables naval personnel
from Friendly Foreign Countries to train and sail together onboard an Indian Naval Ship. By integrating
international participants into shipboard activities and professional training modules, the initiative
promotes practical cooperation, interoperability and shared understanding of maritime operations.
As part of the current edition of IOS SAGAR, naval personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries will
participate in the programme.
The programme will commence with professional training interactions at Indian Naval training
establishments in Kochi, where participants will be exposed to key aspects of naval operations,
seamanship practices and maritime security concepts. This phase will be followed by deployment onboard
an Indian Naval Ship, where international participants will sail together with Indian Navy personnel and
take part in operational activities at sea.
During the voyage, the ship will undertake maritime engagement activities and port visits, enabling
interaction with partner navies and maritime agencies across the region. These engagements are intended
to strengthen professional linkages, encourage exchange of best practices and foster a deeper
understanding of shared maritime challenges.File Photos from Previous IOS SAGAR Mission
IOS SAGAR 2026 - Gp PhotoIOS SAGAR Ship
____________________________________________________________
VM/SKY 50/26
(Release ID: 2241628) Visitor Counter : 1164
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati