The deployment will provide an opportunity for professional engagements and operational interactions between the two navies, strengthening maritime cooperation and enhancing interoperability.
“The participation of INS Sahyadri is in consonance with the Government of India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and builds upon the longstanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia,” an Indian government statement said.
The deployment also aims to build on the momentum generated during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, held on December 4–5, 2025.
Exercise INDRA 2026 will comprise engagements during the harbour phase, followed by coordinated operational activities at sea. The exercise will feature professional interactions and maritime manoeuvres designed to enhance mutual understanding, operational coordination and interoperability between the participating navies.
Alongside operational engagements, social and cultural interactions will provide personnel from both navies with opportunities to strengthen camaraderie and foster people-to-people ties.
What is MAHASAGAR?
MAHASAGAR is an Indian Navy outreach initiative that facilitates high-level virtual interactions among maritime leaders. The acronym stands for Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region.
The Indian Navy hosted the maiden edition of the MAHASAGAR interaction on November 29, 2023. During the event, then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar interacted with heads of navies and maritime agencies, as well as senior leaders from Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littoral countries, including Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
The interaction was held under the theme “Collective Maritime Approach towards Countering Common Challenges”, highlighting the need to harmonise and strengthen collaborative maritime capacities and capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region.
The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).