The Indian Navy on Friday successfully concluded the Harbour Training Phase of its IOS SAGAR initiative at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). As per the official statement, the two-week intensive training programme brought together personnel from 16 friendly countries, reinforcing India’s commitment to collaborative security and capacity building in a region facing increasingly complex maritime challenges. The intensive training programme includes piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, natural disasters, and the need to secure vital sea lines of communication. During the harbour phase, multinational crews underwent comprehensive training across premier Indian Navy institutions. The curriculum covered key operational areas such as seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety at sea, firefighting, and damage control. Specialised modules, including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and advanced bridgemanship, were also conducted. Highlights of the programme A major highlight of the programme was the use of advanced simulators and modern training infrastructure, allowing participants to engage in realistic, scenario-based exercises. This approach enhanced decision-making …