Indian Navy warship INS Sunayna, deployed as part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission, arrived at Nacala Port, Mozambique on April 17, 2025, marking a key step in India’s maritime diplomacy under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative. 

The mission, flagged off from Karwar on April 5 by the Raksha Mantri, includes 44 naval personnel from nine friendly foreign nations, including Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Maldives, and Comoros. Prior to its arrival in Mozambique, INS Sunayna participated in AIKEYME 25, the inaugural India-Africa maritime partnership exercise held in Tanzania. 

The port call will include a range of joint training and community outreach activities aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and capacity building with the Mozambique Navy. These include VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) drills, firefighting and damage control sessions, a deck reception, and public engagement programs such as yoga sessions, ship visits, interschool maritime quizzes, and guided tours for military cadets. 

On completion of the visit, INS Sunayna will conduct a joint surveillance mission in Mozambique’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with embarked Mozambique Navy personnel, reinforcing bilateral commitment to maritime security and regional stability. 

The mission highlights India’s growing engagement with African nations and reflects its strategic focus on fostering regional cooperation and interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region through the SAGAR initiative. 

(PIB)