Indian Navy's INS Sunayna makes maiden port call at Dar-es-Salaam

IANS April 13, 2025 147 views

The Indian Navy's INS Sunayna has made a significant port call in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, marking an important milestone in regional maritime cooperation. Carrying naval personnel from nine Indian Ocean nations, the ship is participating in Exercise AIKEYME to enhance operational coordination and strategic partnerships. This deployment underscores India's commitment to maintaining a secure and stable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise represents a collaborative effort to improve interoperability and foster goodwill among participating nations.

"The deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation" - Indian Navy Statement
New Delhi, April 13: INS Sunayna, designated as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, has entered the Port of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, as part of India's commitment to further facilitate global maritime cooperation and security.

Key Points

1

Indian Navy ship carries naval personnel from nine friendly nations

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Participates in Exercise AIKEYME in Tanzania

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Demonstrates commitment to regional maritime security

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Promotes multinational naval collaboration

The ship departed from Karwar, Goa, on April 5, carrying 44 naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa and entered the Port of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off INS Sunayna from Karwar on April 5 as IOS SAGAR, with 44 personnel from nine friendly foreign navies embarked onboard.

The deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores India’s commitment to a secure, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean Region, fostering strong naval partnerships and regional stability.

Upon arrival, INS Sunayna received a warm welcome from Rear Admiral A.R. Hassan, Chief of the Tanzanian Navy, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and International Relations), and Commodore Agyapal Singh, Defence Attache for Tanzania, along with dignitaries from the Indian High Commission and the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF).

During this port call, the ship is participating in the harbour phase of Exercise AIKEYME, a significant naval exercise inaugurated by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Sunday.

The exercise focuses on enhancing operational coordination, refining joint strategies, and improving interoperability in maritime operations.

Two other Indian Navy ships, INS Chennai (Destroyer) and INS Kesari (Landing Ship Tank - Large), are also participating in the exercise alongside INS Sunayna.

The participation of personnel from FFNs aboard INS Sunayna 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 is scheduled to depart Dar-es-Salaam on April 15, 2025, for its next port of call at Nacala, Mozambique, to continue with the IOS SAGAR mission.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is such a proud moment for India! 🇮🇳 The Navy's efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation are truly commendable. The inclusion of personnel from 9 different nations shows our commitment to regional security.
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Sarah M.
While I appreciate the diplomatic efforts, I wonder if we're allocating enough resources to our domestic naval needs while undertaking these international missions. Still, the exercise sounds promising for regional stability.
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Amit P.
INS Sunayna making waves across the Indian Ocean! 🌊 The warm welcome in Tanzania shows how much our naval diplomacy is valued internationally. More power to our sailors!
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Tara N.
Exercise AIKEYME sounds like a crucial step for regional security. The participation of three Indian ships shows our naval strength. Hope this leads to safer shipping lanes for all nations involved.
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Karan D.
My cousin is serving on INS Chennai! So proud to see our Navy making such important international collaborations. The Indian Ocean Region's security affects us all. Jai Hind!

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Tags:
Indian Navy INS Sunayna Tanzania Maritime Security Indian Ocean Region Naval Cooperation
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