Mission Sagar, Objectives, Vision SAGAR, Phase I to IX, Significance

Mission Sagar is a major humanitarian and strategic outreach initiative launched by India in May 2020 to support countries in the Indian Ocean Region during the Covid 19 pandemic. It reflects India’s commitment to assist maritime neighbours through medical aid, food supplies and disaster relief. It was implemented by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. The mission has covered 15 friendly foreign countries, delivering over 3,000 metric tonnes of food aid, 300 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen, 900 oxygen concentrators and 20 ISO containers while covering nearly 40,000 nautical miles over 215 days at sea.

Mission Sagar Objectives

Mission Sagar focuses on providing timely humanitarian and medical assistance while strengthening regional cooperation and maritime partnerships.

• The mission aimed to provide essential supplies such as food, medicines, oxygen and medical teams to Indian Ocean countries struggling during the Covid 19 pandemic and related crises.
• It enhances India’s partnership with maritime neighbours by promoting trust, goodwill and long term cooperation in health, disaster relief and security domains.
• Mission Sagar serves as a practical extension of the SAGAR policy by supporting economic and security collaboration among Indian Ocean littoral states.
• India positioned itself as a reliable first responder by rapidly deploying naval assets to deliver aid during emergencies like pandemics, droughts and disasters.

Vision SAGAR

SAGAR represents India’s strategic maritime vision focused on security, cooperation and sustainable growth in the Indian Ocean Region.

• Launched in 2015, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) provides a comprehensive approach to maritime cooperation, focusing on peace, stability and development.
• It emphasizes strengthening naval partnerships, enhancing surveillance and building maritime capabilities of partner nations to ensure regional security.
• SAGAR promotes economic growth, connectivity and sustainable use of ocean resources, ensuring benefits for all littoral countries.
• It aligns with initiatives like Act East Policy, Blue Economy and Project Sagarmala, creating a broader maritime development and security ecosystem.

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Mission Sagar Phases

Mission Sagar has been executed in multiple phases, each targeting specific countries with tailored humanitarian assistance.

• Mission Sagar I: Conducted in May 2020, INS Kesari delivered 580 tonnes of food, medicines and medical teams to Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.
• Mission Sagar II: In October-November 2020, INS Airavat supplied 270 tonnes of food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea, strengthening India’s presence near key maritime routes.
• Mission Sagar III: In December 2020, assistance of about 15 tonnes each was delivered to Vietnam and Cambodia under HADR operations, reinforcing ties with ASEAN countries.
• Mission Sagar IV: In March 2021, India provided 1,000 tonnes of rice each to Comoros and Madagascar, addressing food security concerns during the pandemic.
• Mission Sagar V: In August 2021, Indonesia received 100 MT liquid medical oxygen and 300 oxygen concentrators, while Thailand and Vietnam received oxygen support and ISO containers.
• Mission Sagar VI: Also in August 2021, Sri Lanka received 100 MT liquid medical oxygen and five ISO containers to support its healthcare system.
• Mission Sagar VII: In September 2021, Bangladesh received two mobile oxygen plants, enhancing its medical infrastructure during the pandemic.
• Mission Sagar VIII: In December 2021, INS Kesari delivered 500 tonnes of food aid to Mozambique and additional defence equipment to support security and drought relief efforts.
• Mission Sagar IX: In April 2022, INS Gharial delivered over 760 kg of 107 types of critical medicines to Sri Lanka, addressing urgent healthcare requirements during a crisis.

Mission Sagar Significance

Mission Sagar plays a crucial role in enhancing India’s regional influence, humanitarian outreach and maritime security cooperation.

• The mission demonstrates India’s commitment to its extended maritime neighbourhood, strengthening diplomatic and humanitarian ties with Indian Ocean countries.
• India’s rapid deployment of naval assets reinforces its image as a dependable first responder during crises in the region.
• Assistance to countries like Mozambique supports efforts against terrorism, including threats from groups like Islamic State (Da’esh) in Central Africa.
• It helps tackle issues like piracy, maritime terrorism, trafficking and environmental threats through coordinated regional efforts.
• The mission highlights the Indian Navy’s capability to conduct long duration deployments, covering 40,000 nautical miles and assisting over 3,500 people in disaster situations like Cyclone IDAI.

Mission Sagar Challenges

Despite its success, Mission Sagar faces several operational and strategic challenges in implementation and sustainability.

• Scope: Covering multiple regions from Southeast Asia to Africa increases operational complexity and demands efficient coordination among agencies.
• Maritime Security: Threats such as piracy, terrorism and illegal trafficking in the Indian Ocean Region pose risks to smooth execution of aid missions.
• Climate and Disaster: Frequent natural disasters like cyclones and droughts increase demand for assistance, putting pressure on response mechanisms and resources.
• Resources: Large scale humanitarian missions require significant financial, logistical and naval resources, which can strain existing capacities during prolonged crises.
• Strategic Competition: Growing presence of other global powers in the Indian Ocean Region creates challenges in maintaining influence and ensuring effective regional cooperation.