Geography & BiodiversityImportant2024-12-26

INS Sarvekshak Deployed to Mauritius

In News

What Happened

On December 26, 2024, the Indian Navy's specialised hydrographic survey ship, INS Sarvekshak, arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius. The vessel was deployed to conduct joint hydrographic surveys of the surrounding maritime region. This joint mission with Mauritian authorities aims to enhance maritime safety, support coastal development, and aid in marine resource management.

Why It Matters

This deployment is a tangible execution of India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. By assisting Mauritius in mapping its waters, India reinforces its role as a net security provider and a preferred, reliable maritime partner in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Background

History & Context

India and Mauritius share deeply rooted maritime and defense ties, underpinned by regular joint patrols, military training, and hydrographic assistance. The Indian Navy has a long history of conducting hydrographic surveys for IOR littoral states to help them map their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in compliance with international maritime laws. INS Sarvekshak, equipped with state-of-the-art surveying equipment, has previously mapped waters for several friendly foreign nations, maintaining India's diplomatic and strategic foothold in the IOR.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Reliance on outdated navigational charts which posed risks to maritime safety and hindered the optimal economic exploitation of the Mauritian EEZ. NOW: The joint deployment will generate highly accurate, updated hydrographic data to ensure safe navigation and scientific coastal planning.
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BEFORE: Littoral states often lacked the specialized technological capacity to comprehensively map their own extensive maritime zones. NOW: Indian naval assets like INS Sarvekshak bridge this gap, offering capacity-building support and transferring technical know-how to Mauritian personnel.
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BEFORE: The SAGAR vision was largely a diplomatic framework proposed in 2015. NOW: Routine deployments of specialized vessels translate this diplomatic framework into sustained, on-the-ground operational cooperation, countering rival geopolitical influences in the IOR.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to Class 11 Geography Chapter 1 (India - Location), which highlights India's strategic centrality at the head of the Indian Ocean. The deployment of INS Sarvekshak illustrates how India utilizes its geographic advantage and naval capabilities to build strategic partnerships and manage Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) across the broader Indian Ocean Region.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding the deployment of INS Sarvekshak is/are correct? 1. INS Sarvekshak is a specialized Indian Naval ship deployed primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys. 2. The deployment to Mauritius aligns with India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision to assist littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region.

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