IOS SAGAR

IOS SAGAR Latest News

India’s Maiden India-Africa Naval Exercise: Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar & AIKEYME

What is IOS Sagar?

• Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar is a maritime security cooperation initiative in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Duration: April 5 to May 8, 2025.
• Vessel: INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel.
• Participants: India + 9 African nations: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
• Activities:
  • Port calls at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), and Male (Maldives).
  • Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
  • Training for African personnel at Indian naval institutions in Kochi, covering naval operations, watchkeeping, and security drills.

What is AIKEYME?

• AIKEYME stands for ‘Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement’, meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit.
• Co-hosts: Indian Navy & Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
• Location: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
• Participants: India + 10 African nations – Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania.
• Duration: Six days in mid-April 2025.
• Inauguration: By Defence Minister
• Training & Operational Phases:
  • Harbour phase: Table-top and command post exercises focusing on piracy and maritime information-sharing.
    • Seamanship training & Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
  • Sea phase: Search and Rescue (SAR), small arms firing, helicopter operations, and maritime security drills.

What is Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)?

• Launched in 2015, SAGAR aims for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• Key components:
  • Countering Chinese Influence: Strengthening ties with IOR nations.
  • Maritime Security: Tackling piracy, terrorism, and illegal activities.
  • Capacity Building: Supporting IOR countries in disaster management and infrastructure development.
  • Economic & Connectivity Projects: Expanding regional trade and investment.
• MAHASAGAR (Advancement for Security Across the Regions): Announced by the PM in Mauritius, focusing on maritime security and regional cooperation.

Key Indian Initiatives Supporting SAGAR

• South Asia Satellite (SAS): Enhances communication & disaster response among neighbors.
• Mission SAGAR: Provided COVID-19 medical assistance to Indian Ocean littoral states.
• Vaccine Maitri: Supplied COVID-19 vaccines to nations like Bhutan & Maldives.
• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project: Improves connectivity between India, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia.

IOS SAGAR FAQs

Q1. What is the Indian Ocean Strategy (IOS)?

Ans. The Indian Ocean Strategy (IOS) refers to India’s maritime policy focused on securing the Indian Ocean region (IOR), enhancing trade, security, and regional cooperation.

Q2. What does SAGAR stand for in India’s maritime policy?

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Ans. SAGAR stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region”, a vision introduced by PM Narendra Modi in 2015 to ensure a safe, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

Q3. How is SAGAR different from the Indo-Pacific Strategy?

Ans. While the Indo-Pacific Strategy focuses on a broader geopolitical region (Pacific & Indian Oceans), SAGAR is specifically centered on India’s role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Source: TH