Indian Naval Ship Sunayna arrived at Changi Naval Base in Singapore on April 26 as part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, marking its fourth port call under the MAHASAGAR vision.
The vessel, carrying a multinational crew from 16 friendly foreign countries, is deployed in the Indian Ocean Region, having previously visited Male, Phuket, and Jakarta, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Upon arrival, the ship received a warm welcome that highlighted the strong maritime relationship between India and Singapore. India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Dr Shilpak Ambule, engaged with the crew onboard and commended their efforts in enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability.
The Commanding Officer of INS Sunayna, Commander Siddharth Chaudhary, laid a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial and held discussions with Colonel Chuah Meng Soon of the Republic of Singapore Navy to explore further ways to strengthen maritime collaboration.
During the visit, the ship was opened to the public, including schoolchildren and social media influencers, providing an opportunity to observe life at sea. On April 27, crew members of the IOS SAGAR mission, along with members of the Indian diaspora, participated in a run themed “One Ocean, One Mission” to raise maritime awareness.
The deployment also features professional exchanges with the Republic of Singapore Navy. Scheduled activities include visits to navigation and damage control simulators, the Information Fusion Centre, and the Navy Museum in Singapore. Additional engagements involve a joint yoga session, interactions with a think tank onboard, and a formal deck reception, the MoD statement added.
INS Sunayna is scheduled to depart Singapore on April 29 to continue its mission in the Indian Ocean Region, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and collective security.
The Indian Navy stated that the IOS SAGAR initiative represents India’s ongoing commitment to regional maritime partnership. The second edition of IOS SAGAR, which commenced on March 16, brings together naval personnel from 16 countries for joint training and sailing exercises aboard an Indian naval ship.
The initiative supports India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region and aligns with the broader MAHASAGAR framework to promote partnerships, interoperability, and shared maritime security across the region.