Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to inaugurate newly developed infrastructure at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka on Saturday, April 5, 2025, a major step towards strengthening India’s maritime capabilities under the ambitious #ProjectSeabird.
Sharing an update on social media platform X, the Office of the Defence Minister wrote:
“Strengthening India’s Naval Power! On 05 April 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will inaugurate newly developed infrastructure at the Karwar Naval Base, a key milestone under #ProjectSeabird. This expansion enhances India’s maritime security with cutting-edge facilities and advanced operational capabilities.”
As part of this development, the Indian Navy is preparing for the launch of its new initiative – Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, which aims to bolster regional cooperation and safety in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
On Friday, preparations were in full swing at the Karwar naval area ahead of the event. Speaking about the significance of the initiative, INS Sunayna’s Commanding Officer Kamal Singh emphasized its importance:
“SAGAR stands for Security And Growth for All in the Region. It is an initiative by the Government of India for mutual cooperation and security and safety of mariners in the Indian Ocean region,” he told media.
He further added:
“As a maiden initiative by the government of India and the Indian Navy, IOS SAGAR has been launched with 9 friendly foreign countries and thus we have a total of 44 personnel – 12 officers and 32 sailors… This is a first-of-its-kind initiative, possibly in the world also… The flag off is planned to be done by the Defence Minister for 5th April…”
The project not only promotes strategic collaboration but also strengthens interoperability between the Indian Navy and regional navies. Over the years, Indian maritime training institutions have trained over 20,000 personnel from 50+ friendly foreign countries, covering both basic and advanced naval training.
The international crew participating in IOS SAGAR also underwent sea training with the Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna, led by the Indian Naval Work Up Team. The training ensured cohesion and familiarity with Indian Navy systems and protocols.
The IOS SAGAR initiative is expected to promote deeper maritime cooperation, regional stability, and capacity building among Indian Ocean littoral nations — reaffirming India’s commitment to collective maritime security and strategic leadership in the region.