INS Sunayna is set to arrive at the Port of Colombo on May 15 as part of India’s expanding regional maritime cooperation initiative under the IOS Sagar deployment program.
The Indian naval vessel is operating as IOS Sagar with a multinational crew drawn from 16 countries across the Indian Ocean region, reflecting New Delhi’s growing focus on collective maritime security and regional engagement.
The Colombo stop marks the seventh port call during the second edition of the deployment.
INS Sunayna Carries Multinational Crew Across Indian Ocean
According to the Indian Navy, the IOS Sagar mission began in Mumbai on April 2 following extensive joint harbour training for officers and sailors from participating nations.
Countries represented in the multinational crew include:
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- United Arab Emirates
The initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation among regional navies while improving operational coordination and maritime readiness.
INS Sunayna Mission Focuses on Maritime Security
The training programme linked to the INS Sunayna deployment covered a wide range of naval operations and maritime security procedures.
According to Indian Navy officials, participants received instruction in:
- Seamanship
- Navigation
- Communication procedures
- Firefighting
- Damage control
- Safety at sea
- Advanced bridgemanship
- Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations
The exercises aim to improve interoperability between participating naval forces as security concerns continue evolving across the Indian Ocean region.
Colombo Visit Highlights India-Sri Lanka Naval Ties
During the Colombo visit, the commanding officer of INS Sunayna is expected to meet senior officials from the Sri Lanka Navy, including the Commander Western Naval Area and the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet.
The multinational crew will also participate in:
- Professional naval exchanges
- Sports activities
- Cultural engagements
- Visits to locations across Sri Lanka
The visit reflects growing defence and maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka amid increasing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean.
India Expands “Bridges of Friendship” Strategy
The INS Sunayna deployment forms part of the Indian Navy’s “Bridges of Friendship” programme.
The initiative supports India’s wider regional maritime vision known as MAHASAGAR, which stands for:
“Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.”
The strategy was promoted by Narendra Modi as part of India’s effort to strengthen partnerships across the Indian Ocean.
New Delhi has increasingly focused on:
- Maritime diplomacy
- Naval cooperation
- Regional security partnerships
- Joint military exercises
- Strategic port engagement
The Indian Ocean remains one of the world’s most important shipping and trade corridors.
Why INS Sunayna’s Mission Matters
The INS Sunayna deployment highlights the growing importance of maritime alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.
With rising geopolitical competition involving India, China, and Western powers, regional naval cooperation has become increasingly significant for:
- Trade security
- Anti-piracy operations
- Disaster response
- Maritime surveillance
- Strategic stability
India’s expanding naval diplomacy efforts also demonstrate its ambition to strengthen leadership across the Indian Ocean region.
What Happens Next
Following its Colombo visit, INS Sunayna is expected to continue its regional engagement mission with additional operational and diplomatic activities across partner nations.
Analysts expect India to further expand multinational naval deployments as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy in the coming years.
