INS Sunayna as IOS Sagar to Arrive in Colombo on Seventh Port Call with Multinational Crew from 16 Nations

The ship was flagged off from Mumbai on April 2, 2026, following comprehensive harbour-based training conducted 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 at Indian Naval training establishments.

According to the Indian Navy, the training programme covered seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety at sea, firefighting, and damage control. It also included specialised instruction in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations and advanced bridgemanship, aimed at enhancing operational coordination and maritime professionalism among participating personnel.

During the Colombo port call, the Commanding Officer of IOS Sagar is expected to hold meetings with senior officials of the Sri Lanka Navy, including the Commander of the Western Naval Area and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet. These engagements are aimed at reinforcing naval-to-naval coordination and professional exchange between the two maritime forces.

In addition to official engagements, the multinational crew is scheduled to participate in professional interactions and sporting activities with personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy. The crew will also visit several places of interest across Sri Lanka as part of the port call programme.

The initiative forms a key component of the Indian Navy’s “Bridges of Friendship” programme, designed to strengthen maritime cooperation and regional engagement under the broader vision of “One Ocean, One Mission.”

The deployment further aligns with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, promoting cooperative maritime security and engagement throughout the Indian Ocean region.