PERSONNEL FROM 16 FRIENDLY FOREIGN COUNTRIES COMPLETE HARBOUR TRAINING AS INDIAN NAVY STRENGTHENS REGIONAL MARITIME COOPERATION THROUGH 'IOS SAGAR' INITIATIVE

• IOS SAGAR (Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR) is the Indian Navy's flagship multinational operational engagement that embarks naval personnel from Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) onto an Indian warship for joint training and sailing.
• Second edition (2026) involves personnel from 16 IONS member nations; harbour training phase concluded at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 27 March 2026.
• Operationalises India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine and its 2025 upgrade Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
• High-value UPSC item: links GS-II (India & neighbourhood, IOR diplomacy) with GS-III (maritime security).