INS Sunayna departs Phuket, strengthens India–Thailand maritime cooperation under IOS SAGAR

The Indian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) INS Sunayna, deployed as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR—Security and Growth for All in the Region—has departed Phuket, Thailand, and is now en route to Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of its ongoing deployment across the Indo-Pacific.

The Indian Navy, in a press statement announced on Sunday (April 19, 2026) that the vessel has “proceeded to Jakarta for the next port of call, continuing her mission to strengthen maritime cooperation in the Southeast Indian Ocean Region.”

The deployment traces its origins to Karwar, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh personally flagged off INS Sunayna on April 5, 2025.

Sailing with 44 naval personnel drawn from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs).

The mission aims to reinforce India’s commitment to regional maritime security and multilateral cooperation—bringing together partner nations under a shared framework of seafaring solidarity.

In its statement, the Indian Navy added, “Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR-INS Sunayna departed Phuket, Thailand, on 17 April 2026 on completion of a high-tempo three-day Operational Turnaround (OTR), marking the successful culmination of her second port call during the ongoing deployment.”

During the Phuket visit, IOS SAGAR executed a series of professional, strategic, and cultural engagements with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) aimed at deepening bilateral naval ties.

Commanding Officer Commander Siddharth Chaudhary held discussions with Rear Admiral Sathaporan Ewajrat, Chief of the Third Naval Area Command and underscored both nations’ shared commitment to enhanced maritime cooperation.

The visit blended operational rigour with people-to-people outreach, featuring a friendly football match and a joint yoga session that drew enthusiastic participation from both navies, the Indian Navy said in its statement.

Senior naval officials gathered for a formal deck reception aboard the ship, providing a forum to deliberate on maritime cooperation and regional security priorities.

Operational coordination was demonstrated during a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with HTMS Klongyai, showcasing seamless communication drills and formation manoeuvres that highlighted the “plug-and-play” interoperability between the two navies.

The Indian Navy noted that the visit reflected the strong and evolving maritime partnership between India and Thailand, firmly aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—which places cooperative, inclusive maritime engagement at the heart of India’s Indo-Pacific outreach.