The Indian Navy successfully concluded a two‑week harbour training phase for personnel from 16 friendly foreign navies at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi. The exercise, part of the IOS SAGAR programme, underscores India’s role as a regional maritime capacity‑building hub. Key Developments Sixteen partner nations completed intensive harbour training covering seamanship, navigation, communication, safety, firefighting, damage control, VBSS and advanced bridgemanship. Training leveraged state‑of‑the‑art simulators for scenario‑based learning, enhancing decision‑making in realistic maritime situations. Instruction was overseen by the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) and the Indian Naval Workup Team, ensuring exposure to Indian Navy procedures. Participants demonstrated high professionalism, fostering mutual trust and interoperability among the navies. Post‑harbour phase, the programme will move to sea‑based joint operations and port engagements across the IOR . Important Facts • Duration: 14 days of intensive classroom and simulator sessions. • Location: Southern Naval Command, Kochi – the premier training hub of the Indian Navy. • Modules: Basic and advanced seamanship, navigation, communication, SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), firefighting, damage control, VBSS , and advanced bridgemanship. • Outcome: Enhanced operational readiness and a platform for future joint exercises. UPSC Relevance The exercise illustrates India’s strategic use of defence diplomacy to secure maritime interests, a topic pertinent to GS 4 (Security & International Relations) . Understanding initiatives like IOS SAGAR and the broader MAHASAGAR vision helps answer questions on India’s maritime strategy, regional security architecture, and capacity‑building measures. Way Forward Following the harbour phase, the participating navies will engage in joint sea‑based drills, port visits, and coordinated humanitarian assistance exercises. Continued use of advanced simulators and exchange of best practices will deepen interoperability, contributing to a safer and more resilient IOR . The initiative also positions India as a preferred maritime training partner, reinforcing its strategic influence in the region.