Indian Navy Expands Maritime Outreach with IOS Sagar Sri Lanka Visit, INS Sagardhwani Malaysia Deployment

The Indian Navy on Friday (May 15) carried out two overseas maritime deployments, with IOS Sagar arriving in Sri Lanka and oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani visiting Malaysia, as part of efforts to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and naval interoperability.

The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, carrying a multinational crew from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFC), docked at Colombo Harbour as part of its ongoing operational deployment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The vessel was escorted by a ship of the Sri Lanka Navy into harbour, highlighting the partnership between both navies.

The aim of three-day port call is to enhance bilateral maritime cooperation and reinforcing collaborative security mechanisms in the region. The Indian Navy said that during the visit, the commanding officer of IOS Sagar is scheduled to meet senior Sri Lankan Navy leadership, including the Coomander Western Naval Area and Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, besides calling on the Indian High commissioner in Colombo.

During the visit, Personnel from the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy will participate in friendly volleyball and basketball matches, along with outreach activities aimed at strengthening ties between the two navies.

The crew of IOS Sagar will also engage with the media to showcase the objectives and significance of the “IOS SAGAR 2026 deployment”.

Alongside official engagements, crew members are expected to undertake cultural and professional visits to Colombo Port, Galle, Kandy and Pinnawala before IOS Sagar departs on May 18 following a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Navy.

In an official statement, the Indian Navy stated, “IOS SAGAR’s visit to Colombo stands as a strong reflection of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and its continued commitment towards ensuring peace, stability, and collective maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.”

In another deployment highlighting India’s growing maritime engagement with Southeast Asia, the Indian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani arrived at Port Klang, Malaysia, on May 13 as part of its South East Asia deployment.

The ship was welcomed by personnel of the Royal Malaysian Navy, with the two-day visit featuring a series of professional interactions, training exchanges, cross-deck visits and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) between the two navies.

INS Sagardhwani’s return to Port Klang comes seven years after its previous scientific deployment to Malaysia in 2019, reflecting the growing depth of India-Malaysia maritime ties and their shared commitment towards regional maritime security and cooperation.

The Navy in a press statement said, “The port call highlights the growing maritime partnership between India and Malaysia reaffirming the shared commitment towards regional maritime security and cooperation.”