Indian Navy Steps Up Global Outreach With 2nd Edition Of IOS SAGAR 2026 Initiative, Seychelles Exercise Lamitiye
As part of the current edition of IOS SAGAR, naval personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries will participate. Image courtesy: RNA
In a major push to strengthen its maritime footprint, the Indian Navy has launched the second edition of IOS SAGAR 2026, to further expand its operational cooperation with partner nations in the Indian Ocean Region. The second edition of the initiative commenced earlier this week on March 16.
The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative is a flagship naval engagement programme that brings together personnel from 16 partner nations. This edition includes participation from 16 IONS nations of the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) as the Indian Navy assumed the chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in February 2026.
During the same month, the Indian Navy had hosted 3 major international maritime events in Visakhapatnam from February 15-25, 2026. These events included the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, the multilateral Exercise MILAN 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.
What makes IOS SAGAR 2026 unique
The exercise comes shortly after India assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in February 2026, giving added strategic weight to this edition. This edition of IOS Sagar would see foreign naval personnel train onboard Indian Navy ships, giving them exposure to real-time maritime operations and seamanship practices.
Further, they would also focus on interoperability and coordinated response. The programme begins with professional training in Kochi, followed by joint deployment at sea, where participants engage in operational drills and maritime missions together.
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. 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.
Why IOS SAGAR matters now
At a time of rising geopolitical tensions and maritime security challenges, IOS SAGAR serves multiple strategic objectives like building trust and coordination among regional navies, enhancing collective response to threats like piracy, trafficking, and maritime disruptions, strengthening India’s SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
It also aligns with the broader MAHASAGAR framework, which focuses on holistic and inclusive maritime security across regions.
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.
Exercise Lamitye 2026: Strengthening ties with Seychelles
Parallel to IOS SAGAR, India is also deepening bilateral defence ties through Exercise Lamitye 2026 in Seychelles. These naval drills, are being conducted from March 9–20 at the Seychelles Defence Academy, with participation from Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, marking a rare tri-services engagement.
Exercise Lamitye 2026 is also seeing the deployment of INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft. It focused on sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, peacekeeping and joint tactical drills, sharing best practices and operational experiences.
Meanwhile, in a significant gesture of defence cooperation, India also donated ship spares to the Seychelles Defence Forces, enhancing their maritime operational capability. The handover was conducted by INS Trikand’s Commanding Officer during its visit to Port Victoria.
