Mission Sagar, Sagar Initiative of India, Objectives, IOS Sagar

Mission Sagar is a key humanitarian initiative launched by the Government of India in May 2020 amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. At its core, Mission Sagar represents India’s commitment to assisting countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). It is also a strategic manifestation of India’s broader foreign policy vision, SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region.

Under this initiative, India deployed its naval assets to deliver critical support, including food, medical supplies, and emergency support, to various countries.

What is Mission Sagar?

Mission Sagar is India’s strategic outreach program initiated in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to assist countries in the Indian Ocean Littoral states by delivering critical assistance such as medical supplies, food support, and essential equipment to friendly foreign nations during emergencies, primarily during the COVID-19 crisis. The Mission Sagar is part of India’s broader vision of “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).” introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.

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In terms of scale, the Indian Navy undertook 215 days at sea, covering over 40,000 nautical miles, and delivered aid to 15 Friendly Foreign Countries. The relief included over 3,000 MT of food, 300 MT Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), 900 Oxygen Concentrators, and 20 ISO containers.

Mission Sagar Full Form and the SAGAR Doctrine

The term “SAGAR” stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. This doctrine was articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, emphasizing a framework where India acts as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

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Mission Sagar Objectives

The Mission Sagar objective is twofold:

1. Strengthening India’s partnership with countries in the Indian Ocean Region.
   
   

2. Providing timely humanitarian aid in the form of food, medicines, oxygen supplies, and equipment during crises like pandemics, droughts, and natural disasters.

This initiative also strengthened India’s position as a "First Responder" in the region, promoting goodwill and deepening diplomatic ties.

Sagar Initiative of India

The SAGAR initiative is India’s vision for developing a safe, secure, and stable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean. It involves strengthening maritime relations with regional partners, enhancing capacity-building, and ensuring collective security. Mission Sagar is a key operational pillar under this initiative.

To understand Mission Sagar, it is essential to understand the broader framework—SAGAR or Security and Growth for All in the Region. Introduced in 2015, this policy focuses on:

• Enhancing maritime security,
  
  

• Building disaster resilience,
  
  

• Improving economic and infrastructure connectivity,
  
  

• Strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.
  
  

Mission Sagar is the operational extension of this policy, implemented through the Indian Navy in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.

India’s Mission Sagar Deployments

Since its inception, Mission Sagar has seen the Indian Navy actively deliver support to over 15 countries. The deployments spanned over 215 days at sea, covering nearly 40,000 nautical miles and assisting over 3,500 people directly. The cumulative aid included:

• 3,000 MT of food aid
  
  

• 300+ MT Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO)
  
  

• 900 Oxygen Concentrators
  
  

• 20 ISO Containers
  

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The major deployments under Mission Sagar:

Additionally, the Indian Navy's involvement in Cyclone Idai relief operations in Mozambique (2019) and subsequent deployments reaffirm India’s humanitarian leadership in the region.

IOS Sagar

IOS Sagar (Indian Ocean Ship Sagar) is a maritime cooperation initiative involving India and nine African countries, launched in April 2025. It includes joint naval operations, port visits, and training programs to build capacity and ensure maritime security.

Key highlights:

• INS Sunayna visited ports in Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives.
  
  

• Joint surveillance of EEZs of participating countries.
  
  

• Training sessions at Indian naval institutions in Kochi.
  
  

IOS Sagar directly complements the core goals of Mission Sagar by facilitating long-term regional maritime cooperation.

AIKEYME

To further enhance cooperation, India launched AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), meaning "unity" in Sanskrit. Held in Tanzania, this initiative involved 10 African countries and focused on:

• Command post exercises,
  
  

• Seamanship training,
  
  

• Joint maritime security operations.

AIKEYME strengthens India’s positioning as a reliable security partner in the Indian Ocean.

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Impactful HADR Missions Under Mission Sagar

India's commitment to humanitarian assistance predates the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance:

• In 2019, post Cyclone IDAI, Indian Naval ships provided rescue, medical care, and relief to approximately 3,500 people in Beira, Mozambique.
  
  

• Later, INS MAGAR delivered 250 MT of rice and 500 kg of epidemic medicines in April 2019.
  
  

• INS Kesari made another significant contribution by delivering 500 MT of food aid to Mozambique in December 2021.

These operations set a precedent for future HADR missions under Mission Sagar, incorporating rapid naval deployment with efficient aid distribution.

Mission Sagar and India's Diplomatic Significance

Mission Sagar not only provides critical aid but also strengthens India's diplomatic ties. It serves multiple strategic purposes:

• Humanitarian Leadership: India established itself as a proactive regional actor, delivering timely aid during global disruptions.
  
  

• Strategic Diplomacy: These missions strengthened bilateral ties with strategically located maritime nations.
  
  

• Operational Excellence: The Indian Navy’s seamless coordination and extensive sea coverage demonstrated its logistical and operational prowess.
  
  

• Regional Trust and Goodwill: Nations in the IOR now perceive India as a dependable and empathetic neighbor in times of need.

Conclusion

Mission Sagar exemplifies India's commitment to being a first responder and net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. It is an operational embodiment of the SAGAR vision – Security and Growth for All in the Region – and reflects India’s proactive role in regional stability, health diplomacy, and humanitarian outreach.

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