MAHASAGAR Initiative

Context: The third edition of MAHASAGAR, a bi-annual initiative led by the Indian Navy, was recently held with a focus on enhancing regional maritime cooperation.

• Theme: Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Overview: MAHASAGAR (Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region) serves as a high-level virtual dialogue among the maritime leadership of Indian Ocean region countries, including Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
• Alignment with SAGAR Vision: The initiative is in line with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, emphasizing collaborative maritime security, capacity building, and regional prosperity.

Objectives of MAHASAGAR

• Training and Capacity Building: Fosters cooperation in training to address common maritime security threats, such as piracy, trafficking, and unregulated fishing.
• Regional Maritime Security: Enhances collective efforts to ensure safe and secure maritime spaces, benefitting all participating nations.
• Collaboration and Growth: Encourages collaborative approaches for mutual economic growth and security in the Indian Ocean Region.