Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar (Indian Naval Ship Sunayana) departed from Chattogram on Sunday following a successful port call marked by diplomatic engagements, professional exchanges and joint maritime exercises with the Bangladesh Navy (BN). The vessel is now sailing towards Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of its ongoing regional deployment.

IOS Sagar, deployed under India’s regional maritime initiative, carries personnel from 17 nationalities, including Bangladesh, representing partner countries from the Indian Ocean Region. The deployment focuses on professional training, regional cooperation and combined maritime action to address shared challenges in the region.

The departure ceremony was marked by a formal send-off by the Bangladesh Navy, concluding a visit focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and regional interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer of IOS Sagar held meetings with senior Bangladesh Navy officials, including COMBAN and COMCHIT, to discuss regional maritime collaboration and shared security objectives. A grand reception was also hosted on the ship’s helicopter deck, attended by officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and members of the local community, while the Bangladesh Navy organised a reciprocal reception for the visiting crew.

Professional exchanges included cross-deck visits, sharing of operational best practices and an interaction at the Bangladesh Naval Academy, where IOS Sagar personnel engaged with future naval officers of Bangladesh.

The visit also featured cultural and sporting interactions, including a friendly football match and sightseeing activities in Chattogram city, aimed at enhancing people-to-people and military ties.

After leaving the harbour, IOS Sagar conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Prottoy and naval air assets. The exercise included coordinated surface manoeuvres and maritime drills designed to improve operational coordination and interoperability at sea.