Diplomacy

The second edition of the IOS SAGAR initiative highlights India’s evolving maritime strategy, emphasizing cooperation, capacity-building, and collective security as the Indian Navy expands its engagement across the Indian Ocean Region.

On 6 March 2026, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the defence and maritime dialogue “Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory” at a high‑profile event in Kolkata, West Bengal. The dialogue, jointly organised by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and a prominent private media organisation, brought together policymakers, defence industry leaders, maritime strategists, and thought champions to deliberate on India’s maritime priorities and shipbuilding ambitions.

In a significant move to enhance India’s maritime security and naval defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (India) signed two major defence contracts on 3 March 2026 for the procurement of advanced helicopters and naval air-defence missile systems. The agreements were formalised at South Block in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh.

India and Italy have reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding defence industrial cooperation and building resilient, future-ready supply chains during high-level meetings held in Rome on February 26 and 27. The engagements underscored a growing convergence between two major democracies seeking to navigate a rapidly evolving global security environment.