IOS SAGAR and IASV Triveni visited Port Victoria from 01 to 02 May 2025 and 03 to 08 May 2025 respectively. Both visits mark a significant milestone in India-Seychelles defence cooperation.

2.         INS Sunayna, rechristened as IOS SAGAR, was flagged off by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri of India Shri Rajnath Singh on 05 April 2025 from Naval Base in Karwar. Its crew included 44 international trainees (04 from Seychelles) from 9 friendly foreign countries, who underwent a specially curated training capsule at INS Dronacharya at Kochi. IOS SAGAR is an initiative towards continued cooperation with IOR nations in pursuance of India's vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR). The mission serves as an opportunity to provide comprehensive training to sea-riders from the friendly countries in maritime security.

3.         IASV Triveni was in Port Victoria between 03-08 May 2025, marking the successful first leg of the all-women-led Tri – Services Crew (Samudra Pradakshina), sailing for nearly a month aboard an indigenously built yacht. This novel mission showcases India's shipbuilding strength and the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Exercise Samudra Pradakshina expedition was flagged off on 07 April 2025 in Mumbai, and is being undertaken by eleven women officers of the Indian Armed Forces with a scheduled return to Mumbai in May 2025.
4.         The indigenously built IASV Triveni is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted in the Indian Armed Forces in 2018 and has participated earlier as well in similar expeditions. The stopover of Triveni at Port Victoria was another manifestation of the robust relations between India and Seychelles and India’s commitment to strengthen its maritime cooperation with the friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region. The crew visited Seychelles Maritime Academy and also called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles H.E. Mr Sylvestre Radegonde as well as Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Seychelles Defence Forces.

5.         A special reception was hosted by High Commissioner Shri Kartik Pande in honour of the visits of the crew of IOS SAGAR and IASV Triveni on 01 May 2025. The Welcome Reception was attended by Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Roger Mancienne, Leader of the Opposition Hon Sebastien Pillay, Chief of Seychelles Defence Forces Major General Michael Rosette, Deputy Chief of SDF Brigadier General Jean Attala, senior SDF officers and members of the Indian diaspora. The Flag off Ceremony for IASV Triveni was organized on 08 May 2025.

6.         India and Seychelles share cordial relations. The recent visits by IOS SAGAR and IASV Triveni further strengthen the robust ties in terms of capacity building and defence interoperability between the two countries.

09 May 2025

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