The Indian Navy’s vessel IOS SAGAR concluded a successful port call to Port Louis, Mauritius, from April 26 to 28, 2025, reinforcing India’s maritime diplomacy and deep-rooted partnership with the island nation. The visit, part of a broader deployment in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (SW-IOR), served to enhance interoperability and bolster regional maritime security under India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
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During its two-day stay, IOS SAGAR engaged in a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance operation with the Mauritius Coast Guard upon departure, demonstrating the Indian Navy’s commitment to collaborative maritime governance and its role as a steadfast security partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The ship’s Commanding Officer met with the Commandant of the Mauritius Coast Guard to reaffirm India’s support for joint maritime capabilities. The visit featured a variety of professional and cultural activities including a joint yoga session and a friendly volleyball match between the ship’s crew and the Mauritius Police Force (MPF), fostering camaraderie and people-to-people ties under the theme of “Bridges of Friendship.”
Crew members from IOS SAGAR also toured key MPF facilities, including the Coast Guard Training School, Maritime Air Squadron, Special Mobile Force Squadron, and the Police Helicopter Squadron. These exchanges facilitated the sharing of best practices and enhanced understanding of operational frameworks and strategic goals on both sides.
Further strengthening public outreach, the ship welcomed aboard MPF personnel, members of the Indian diaspora, and local Mauritian groups. Visitors received guided tours of the vessel, gaining insight into its operational roles, technological capabilities, and the life of sailors at sea. These interactions served as a symbol of transparency and goodwill, further strengthening bilateral trust.
Adding a lighter note to the visit, the crew undertook a recreational trek to Mauritius’s iconic Signal Mountain, reflecting the holistic approach of naval diplomacy—combining strategy, community, and culture.
This port call follows a legacy of close Indo-Mauritian maritime cooperation, dating back to 2009 with regular joint EEZ surveillance missions. More recently, infrastructure projects such as the inauguration of a new airstrip and jetty on the Mauritian archipelago of Agaléga in 2024 have marked significant milestones in bilateral defense collaboration.
The visit by IOS SAGAR highlights India’s proactive maritime outreach in the IOR and underscores its growing role as a “Preferred Security Partner” and “First Responder” for island and coastal nations in the region. It also reaffirms India’s strategic commitment to fostering a stable, secure, and inclusive maritime neighborhood through sustained engagement and cooperation.
