Rajnath Singh flags off IOS SAGAR, inaugurates infra projects at Karwar naval base

New Delhi: An Indian Navy off-shore patrol vessel on Saturday set sail from Karwar with 44 crews from nine friendly foreign nations in a unique initiative that aimed at further consolidating New Delhi’s relationships with Indian Ocean littorals.

INS Sunayna with a new identity as Indian Ocean Ship Sagar will be on deployment for more than a month during which it will carry out joint surveillance of exclusive economic zones of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles besides making port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male.

In a veiled reference to China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who flagged off IOS Sagar said the Indian Navy would ensure that no nation in the Indian Ocean Region suppresses another on the basis of overwhelming economy and military power.

He said the ship would play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region, reaffirming India's commitment to build stronger ties with its maritime neighbours.

The nine friendly foreign countries are Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

Later addressing the top naval commanders, the minister said India stood for a free, open and rule-based order in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

But at the same time, the commanders should assess the “changing circumstances” and carry out the exercises accordingly while remaining alert and prepared.

“Security is an ongoing adaptation process, wherein there is a need to keep assessing, planning, and coming out with new ideas. We need to analyse how India can make its role more effective,” he said.

On India’s growing presence in the region, Rajnath said, “It is not just related to our security and national interests, it also points towards the equality of rights and duties among our friendly countries in the region.”

“Our Navy ensures that, in the Indian Ocean region, no nation suppresses another on the basis of overwhelming economy and military power. We ensure that the nations’ interests are protected without compromising their sovereignty,” he said.

The minister’s comments come amidst China’s PLA Navy’s increasing footprint in the Indian Ocean. The USA also has enhanced its deployment in the Indo-Pacific presumably because of China’s increasing military prowess.

At Karwar, Singh also inaugurated Rs 2,000 crore operational, repair and logistic facilities constructed under Project Seabird. The second leg of the biannual Naval Commanders Conference will resume in Delhi on April 7.