INS Sagardhwani Begins Fifth Sagar Maitri Mission to Strengthen IOR Scientific Cooperation

INS Sagardhwani, India's oceanographic research vessel under DRDO's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, was flagged off on January 17 from Southern Naval Command, Kochi, for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative. This collaborative mission between the Indian Navy and DRDO aims to enhance scientific cooperation, capacity building, and socio-economic engagement among eight Indian Ocean Rim countries. The vessel will retrace historic routes and conduct oceanographic and acoustic research to support regional maritime scientific collaboration and underwater domain awareness.