Navy ship INS Sunayna, designated as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Security and Growth Across Regions(SAGAR)ship, entered the Port of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday, defence ministry said here on Sunday.
The ship had sailed from Karwar, Karnataka, on April five with 44 naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), embarked as part of the ship’s crew.
The FFN include Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
IOS SAGAR was accorded a warm welcome by Rear Admiral A R Hassan, Chief of Tanzania Navy, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI) and Commodore Agyapal Singh, Defence Attaché for Tanzania, alongside dignitaries from the Indian High Commission and Tanzania People Defence Force.
During this port call, the ship will also participate in the harbour phase of Exercise ‘Aikeyme,’ which means unity in Sanskrit, a key naval exercise which will be inaugurated by Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth on April 13.
The exercise will focus on enhancing operational coordination, refining joint strategies and improving interoperability in maritime operations.
Two of the Indian Navy ships, INS Chennai (Destroyer) and INS Kesari [Landing Ship Tank (Large)], will also be participating in the exercise alongside INS Sunayna.
The participation of personnel from FFNs onboard INS Sunayna further underscores the significance of this initiative in promoting global maritime cooperation.
Through such exercises and engagements, the Indian Navy remains committed to advancing collective maritime security, fostering goodwill and ensuring the free and safe movement of shipping lanes in the region. The ship will depart Dar-es-Salaam on 15 Apr 25 for next port of call, Nacala, Mozambique to continue with IOS SAGAR mission.
