PORT VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 28 (ANI) — INS Ikshak, the Indian Navy’s indigenously built Survey Vessel Large (SVL), arrived at Port Victoria on June 26 as part of its operational deployment to the Southwest Indian Ocean region.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the visit coincides with Seychelles’ 50th National Day celebrations and underscores the enduring maritime partnership and longstanding friendship between India and Seychelles.
During the port call, INS Ikshak will participate in the National Day celebrations and engage in a series of professional interactions with the Seychelles Defence Forces aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability.
The ship will also conduct community outreach initiatives, including medical camps and the distribution of essential supplies, further strengthening goodwill and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
As part of the visit, INS Ikshak will be open to the public, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the Indian Navy’s capabilities and its commitment to promoting regional maritime security, safety, and cooperation.
The Ministry of Defence said the deployment reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships with friendly nations and advancing peace, security, and stability across the Indian Ocean Region in line with the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.
Ten years after launching the SAGAR initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled MAHASAGAR during an official visit to Mauritius in 2025. While SAGAR focused primarily on the Indian Ocean region, MAHASAGAR expands India’s maritime vision to a broader global framework, with particular emphasis on cooperation across the Global South.
According to a statement from the Embassy of India in Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Modi’s recent engagements with Mauritius, the Maldives, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and the Philippines reflect India’s commitment to advancing the MAHASAGAR vision. (ANI)
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