Latest news with #SAGAR
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Warfare has no ceasefire now, says Naval Chief at CII Summit; highlights shift from 'SAGAR' to 'MAHASAGAR' vision
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, on Thursday said that the character of warfare had changed rapidly, and it would continue to evolve, driven by both technological advances and rising non-traditional threats. He made these remarks at the CII Annual Business Summit held in Delhi, where he also spoke about India's maritime vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Addressing the summit, Admiral Tripathi said, 'The character of warfare has changed rapidly and continues to do so. Firstly, the lines between war and peace are increasingly blurred. Secondly, the commercial technologies democratise warfare, making it available to non-state actors. Finally, moving into the era of precision, where highly accurate capabilities and in large numbers both remain important for us. We also know that non-traditional threats like acts of terror can spiral into a wider conflict. The use of non-contact warfare along with space and cyber domains to wage a conflict with no ceasefire is a new reality.' He pointed out that technological disruption had allowed even non-state actors to access powerful tools, including space and cyber warfare, which posed constant threats that do not follow traditional rules of engagement or peacetime restraint. Speaking on India's strategic maritime framework, Admiral Tripathi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of SAGAR -- Security and Growth for All in the Region had evolved into a broader concept that now reflected India's growing maritime outreach. 'PM Modi made a clarion call of 'SAGAR' - Security and Growth for All in the Region. Building on this legacy, the vision has rightly elevated to 'MAHASAGAR' - Mutual and Holistic Advancement of Security and Growth Across Regions,' he said. IOS SAGAR is a unique mission based on the Government of India's regional initiative of maritime collaboration, SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. The mission aims to foster international cooperation between India and several African countries. The Navy Chief's remarks come at a time when India has been increasing its focus on maritime security, not only in the Indian Ocean but across Indo-Pacific waters, through strategic alliances, naval exercises, and capacity-building initiatives. Centres of Excellence and Industry competitiveness initiatives, promotion of innovation and technology adoption, and partnerships for sustainability, CII plays a transformative part in shaping the future of the nation. Extending its agenda beyond business, CII Annual Business Summit assists industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes across diverse domains, including affirmative action, livelihoods, diversity management, skill development, empowerment of women, and sustainable development, to name a few. (ANI)
India Gazette
08-05-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Kerala: Indian Navy's first IOS SAGAR returns to Kochi after month-long deployment
Kochi (Kerala) [India], May 8 (ANI): The Indian Navy's maiden initiative of Indian Ocean Ship Sagar, jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR Navies, concluded its month-long deployment in the South West Indian Ocean region (SW IOR) and returned to Kochi on Thursday. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, congratulated the crew of India and nine friendly foreign countries during the grand reception ceremony held at Naval Base, Kochi. In a post on X, the Indian Navy, wrote, '#IndianNavy's maiden initiative - Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR #IOS_SAGAR, returned to Kochi on #08May 25, on completion of one month long deployment in the SW Indian Ocean V Srinivas, #FOCinC #SNC congratulated the ship's crew which included 44 personnel from 09 Friendly Foreign Countries, who jointly operated as a cohesive team truly reflecting the spirit of '#OneOcean #OneMission'.' 'The successful completion of the deployment marks a new chapter in #maritimecooperation and underscores India's commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests, capacity building and enduring partnership with #IOR nations,' the post further reads. The Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, flagged off the IOS Sagar from Karwar on April 5. During the deployment, the ship made port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male. The mission's key highlights included joint naval exercises, professional and cultural exchanges, and joint EEZ surveillance of key IOR nations: Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Strengthening regional maritime cooperation between India and African nations, the ship participated in AIKEYME 2025 alongside INS Chennai & INS Kesari, which was jointly hosted by India and Tanzania from 13 to 18 April 25. The exercise provided an opportunity for the crew of lOS Sagar to participate in the joint harbour phase and interact with the participating Navies. At Mozambique, a range of collaborative activities and community engagements were held promoting operational synergy and interoperability with the Mozambique Navy. Reinforcing the enduring bond between India and Mauritius, the crew of IOS Sagar had fruitful engagement with the Mauritius Police Force and undertook coordinated patrol with the Mauritius Coast Guard. Visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles was marked with cross deck visits, training exchange, joint Yoga sessions and maritime engagement with Seychelles Defence Force. The ship held collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission at Maldives prior to entering Kochi. This deployment exemplifies Indian Navy's continued engagement with regional Navies and maritime security stakeholders of IOR nations to train together, exchange best practices and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding. It was a unique experience for the 44 international crew of nine partner nations, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania who jointly manned the ship alongside Indian Navy crew, truly signifying the motto of 'One Ocean One Mission'. The journey of IOS Sagar which commenced with the combined harbour and sea training phase at SNC, Kochi in March 25 has been truly memorable for all the crew members. The professional and seamless integration of the international crew working together as a well knit and cohesive team truly reflects the spirit of camaraderie and maritime friendship. The mission is a testament to Indian Navy's commitment as the 'First Responder' and 'Preferred Security Partner' in IOR towards the Gol's strategic vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region). (ANI)
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
IOS SAGAR returns home after month-long deployment in south-west Indian Ocean Region
New Delhi, After nearly a month-long deployment in the south-west Indian Ocean Region, IOS SAGAR on Thursday returned home, with the Navy saying it marks a "new chapter" in maritime cooperation and underscores India's commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests. The Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR had set sail from the shores of the key naval base in Karnataka's Karwar on April 5, carrying crew members from India and nine other countries. It was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It was deployed under an initiative towards continued cooperation with Indian Ocean Region nations in pursuance of India's vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions or 'MAHASAGAR'. INS Sunayna, the Indian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, had assumed the mantle of IOS SAGAR under this mission that seeks to reaffirm India's commitment to "building stronger ties with its maritime neighbours and working towards a safer, more inclusive and secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region ". The Indian Navy's maiden initiative of IOS SAGAR, jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR navies, concluded its month-long deployment in south-west IOR and returned to Kochi on May 8, a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, congratulated the crew of India and the friendly foreign countries during the grand reception ceremony held at the Naval Base, Kochi. "The successful completion of the deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores India's commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests, capacity building and enduring partnership with the IOR nations," the spokesperson said. During the deployment, the ship undertook port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male. The key highlights of the mission included joint naval exercises, professional and cultural exchanges and joint EEZ surveillance of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles, he said. Strengthening regional maritime cooperation between India and African nations, the ship participated in Africa India Key Maritime Exercise 2025 alongside INS Chennai and INS Kesari, which was jointly hosted by India and Tanzania from April 13-18. The exercise provided an opportunity for the crew of IOS Sagar to participate in the joint harbour phase and interact with the participating navies. It was a unique experience for the 44 international crew members of the nine partner nations Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Silanka and Tanzania, who jointly manned the ship alongside Indian Navy crew, truly signifying the motto of 'One Ocean One Mission'. The total crew size is nearly 120 and the training held before the mission deployment had fostered bonds of friendship and camaraderie among the personnel from different countries. The ship INS Sunayana was commissioned in October 2013 and has a displacement tonnage of nearly 2,500 tonnes, another senior official told PTI here. IOS SAGAR also emphasises India's role as a "preferred security partner" and the "first responder" in the IOR.
The Print
04-05-2025
- General
- The Print
IOS SAGAR sails to Maldives after successful visit to Seychelles
According to Indian Navy, IOS SAGAR is now headed for a final port of call in Male in Maldives. Victoria [Seychelles], May 4 (ANI): Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR has departed Port Victoria, Seychelles, after a successful port call marked by professional and cultural engagements aimed at deepening maritime cooperation between India and Seychelles. In a post on X, the Indian Navy on Saturday said, 'IOS SAGAR, on concluding its successful visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles left harbour on May 2 '25. The visit was marked by insightful engagements between India and Seychelles. The ship is now heading for her final port of call, Male, Maldives, where she will continue her collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission.' Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles on May 1 marking another important milestone in her ongoing operational deployment across the South-West Indian Ocean Region, Defence ministry said in a release. The ship was accorded a warm welcome and received by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, and the Defence Adviser. The port call will feature a host of professional and cultural exchanges, including cross-deck visits involving a multinational crew, interactions with the CDF and senior officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and a joint Yoga session. INS Sunayna, designated as IOS Sagar, has embarked on a multinational crew comprising 44 naval personnel from 09 friendly foreign nations of the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The deployment exemplifies India's commitment to fostering regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building in the spirit of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), the ministry said. Earlier, the ship made port calls at Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), and Port Louis (Mauritius), engaging with local navies and maritime security stakeholders to train together, exchange best practices, and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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First Post
28-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
How India's MAHASAGAR seeks to counter China's BRI in Indian Ocean Region
The shift from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR doctrine marks not just a change in terminology but a shift in ambition: from a South Asia-centric approach to a wider, cross-regional leadership role, signalling India's readiness to shoulder greater responsibility and counter China's assertive presence in the region read more Modi's 2015 abbreviation SAGAR stood for 'Security and Growth for All in the Region', meaning South Asia. After this, MAHASAGAR, ten years later in 2025, expands to read thus: 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions'. Representational image: X/@MEAIndia Two visits to two southern neighbourhood nations in just over a month, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rewritten India's script for the future in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In Mauritius in mid-March, the Prime Minister upgraded his SAGAR initiative from an earlier innings into MAHASAGAR. This he followed with the first-ever defence MoU in Sri Lanka in early April, that too with the long-time India-baiter, the centre-left JVP and its President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in power, that too with full control of the 225-member Parliament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the uninitiated, SAGAR in many Indian languages means 'sea' and MAHASAGAR, 'ocean'. Modi's 2015 abbreviation SAGAR stood for 'Security and Growth for All in the Region', meaning South Asia. After this, MAHASAGAR, ten years later in 2025, expands to read thus: 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions'. While the spirit of the two terminologies is more or less the same, the noticeable change or upgrading relates to the terms 'Region' in the first and 'Regions' in the second. Both implied that India was taking the initiative and responsibility for shared growth and security. But in the ten years that had passed by, the Indian side was signalling preparedness to take greater responsibility, from the immediate South Asian region to a larger geopolitical space, or 'regions'. Opportunities, challenges The reasons for such preparedness are not far to seek. First and foremost, the ground realities over the past decade showed that India's formalisation of what it had always been doing in the region through the SAGAR initiative served the purpose to a greater degree and faster than may have been expected. India did not seek out those opportunities, but when the Covid pandemic crisis and the consequent economic doom hit the world hard in the face, India was possibly the only one that was ready to help out not only neighbours but also distant friends, with medical kits first and vaccines next. When better-placed and purportedly better-equipped nations saw challenges in opportunities – though not is not the right phrase – to help out brother nations when the human crisis blew out of proportions, India alone saw opportunities in the challenges that the pandemic posed. No, India was not playing geopolitical games with the pandemic, as many others were wont to do, if only they had risen to the occasion. Instead, for India, it was a translated action of the centuries-old national ethos of 'Vasudeva Kudumbam' in Sanskrit and 'Yaadum Oore, Yavarum Kelir' in Tamil. Both mean that the 'world is only a large family'. It also implied that everyone has to help everyone else. And here was India living by the very national ethos, in the real world, in real time and really so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's all in the Indian grain. Remember the 'Asian tsunami' of the end of 2004. First and foremost, India did not expect it, and two, it had no recorded history of a tsunami strike, unlike some of the South Asian nations and other countries elsewhere. Yet, when the natural calamity occurred, India voluntarily offered assistance and rushed it, too, to IOR neighbours Sri Lanka and Maldives – all within hours. In fact, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the heads of the two nations and volunteered assistance if they were ready to accept it. They accepted it, and that's how it happened. Of course, India had also extended aid and assistance to Nepal and Myanmar, the latter earlier this year, when massive earthquakes hit those nations. Keeping historic adversity aside, not very long ago, New Delhi offered similar assistance to Pakistan when hit by a huge earthquake, but Islamabad did not have the stomach to accept it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not a wordplay Apart from further boosting bilateral relations, both in terms of developmental aid and strategic cooperation, Prime Minister Modi's visit to Mauritius as the chief guest at the National Day celebrations on March 12 will ever be remembered for his larger declaration. Much thought seems to have gone into the re-christening of India's 'holistic' approach to bilateral and, now, multilateral cooperation, which includes development and security together. Rather, it's India's response to China's BRI, so to say. At launch, the BRI was claimed to be representing China's global developmental cooperation intent. However, without identifying BRI, China's chequebook diplomacy on white elephant projects, especially in Third World nations that are driven to debt and economic collapse, has involved strategic forays that the latter couldn't resist. Worse still, owing to a patently flawed design, the BRI failed to destroy national economies. It created massive assets that did not serve any great purpose and involved a huge Chinese credit line, with a relatively higher interest rate and stiff repayment schedules. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The famous example in the region is that of Sri Lanka's Hambantota experience. The original deal obviously led to Sri Lanka surrendering a part of its territory for non-payment of the Chinese debt. The Hambantota lease purportedly runs (only) for 99 years, but it does not mean anything. What's more, a decade and more of Chinese investments (?) created no jobs for the locals, no incomes for families and no revenues for the Sri Lankan state. Familiarity, but more But the outcome of such Chinese funding is first familiarity with the host nations and an understanding of their institutional weaknesses, the likes of which the Cold War-era adversaries had played upon. The intention seems to choke the host nations, likewise. This has since been followed by more recent Indian Ocean forays of the so-called Chinese research vessels. Despite denials to the contrary, India, among the IOR nations in the immediate neighbourhood, sees the research ships serving twin purposes for China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One, of course, is obvious. To help host nations to identify and locate deep-sea mineral beds and then use such information to exploit the host nations into signing a partnership agreement on joint exploitation of those minerals, supposedly for the common good. What has, however, turned out over the past years is China's unjustifiable and insatiable appetite for such minerals and its intention to control the global market for them over the medium and long terms. It is the Chinese way of acquiring superpower status, not by sharing but by denying. Nations like India see dual components, including a spy element. Needless to say, the BRI was at one time hailed as the largest global gathering of nations outside of the UN system – 149 members against the latter's 193. However, it is already floundering, as host governments are unable to stomach Beijing's attempts to browbeat them into signing up or making space otherwise. In the immediate Indian Ocean Region, Maldives is another country where China's aid-turned-strategic intent has caused avoidable disquiet internally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indo-Pacific, Quad In a way, the same applies to the US-initiated 'Indo-Pacific' or the 'Quad'. India is a founding member of both. Since then, the very term Indo-Pacific has taken multiple avatars at the hands of multiple nations. There is one by the European Union (EU); Germany was said to be having one of its own. Then there is the distant Canada, at least as far as the Indian Ocean part of the 'Indo-Pacific' goes. The nation too has joined the club of floating an idea of its own. This one predates President Donald Trump declaring his intent to 'merge' Canada, Mexico, and Panama, apart from purchasing Greenland. Trump's call or proposal might have got lost in his subsequent 'tariff war', but the nations named by him still are concerned. It cannot be otherwise. The same applies to Quad, which thankfully does not see any competition, at least as of now. Yet, in the crucial area of military cooperation, India has already declared its intent not to participate for its own reasons and justification. India seems to have concluded, strategic cooperation, yes, but military cooperation, no. The US has since created AUKUS for this purpose. Grow and share Both the US as the sole superpower, whether failing or not, and China as the wannabe superpower have both since stirred the Indo-Pacific more than what the region and regional nations can take. This has conferred a greater responsibility on 'middle powers' like India to do what others should be doing but are not doing. The ASEAN grouping in the extended neighbourhood is not up to it, nor is it cut out for the same. From elsewhere, the EU might or has the capacity to be there but lacks both focus and intention. Nothing explains the way the EU and member nations like Germany, France and earlier the UK were speaking about a multipolar world. At some point, nations like Australia that are sitting at the crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans also said such things, but their initiative and energy are tardy at best. That way, only India, from the days of the unprecedented fiscal crisis of the early nineties, has risen from the dust to be where it is. When India talks, others have begun hearing/listening. Prime Minister Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is 'not an era of war' and has multiple messages. One, of course, is to Russia and also Ukraine, the other nation at war with the former – whoever commenced it, how and why, notwithstanding. The other is about India's peaceful intent to grow and share, rephrasing and reworking India's historic intent at promoting non-alignment, and this time from a position of strength and not weakness. Though no specifics are available at present, indications are that India has given itself enough time. India has laid out its intent in clear terms – to share, grow and secure. Of course, Indian strategic thinkers would have also known that historic adversaries like China and Pakistan are not going to jump at the idea, not certainly the former. Beijing's intent and efforts since before the days of the BRI's inception to box India in South Asia. Pakistan's DNA is to oppose whatever India proposes, bilaterally, regionally or globally. Both nations are also working together against India and Indian initiatives in the region and outside – yet, they are not doing enough to win over the trust of host nations that they otherwise 'pamper' or what they believe to be pampered. The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@ Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
