Fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative

• On January 17, 2026, INS Sagardhwani was flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative.

• INS Sagardhwani was flagged off from Southern Naval Command, Kochi, by the Honourable Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Shri Radha Mohan Singh.

• INS Sagardhwani is an oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO.

• Sagar Maitri is a joint initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO.

• It is in line with India's inclusive and collaborative development (ocean) approach for regional security and development.

• It promotes cooperation in socio-economic sectors among Indian Ocean countries and strengthens scientific collaboration in marine research.