INS Ikshak visits Seychelles amid Modi tour: Will it survey coastal waters?
Synopsis
INS Ikshak, India's most capable hydrographic survey vessel, has docked at Victoria as PM Modi visits Seychelles — echoing a mission its predecessor INS Nirdeshak carried out years ago around Praslin, Mahe, and the Port of Victoria. Whether history repeats itself on this deployment could signal the next step in India's Indian Ocean maritime diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
INS Ikshak , a Sandhayak-class Survey Vessel Large , is on operational deployment to Seychelles , coinciding with PM Modi's visit.
Its predecessor, the old INS Nirdeshak (decommissioned 2014 ), previously conducted hydrographic surveys around Praslin , Mahe , and the Port of Victoria .
INS Ikshak is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and carries advanced seabed-mapping sensors.
The Indian Navy says the deployment advances maritime cooperation and interoperability with the Seychelles Defence Forces .
PM Modi's MAHASAGAR vision frames the visit within a broader Indian Ocean security and growth strategy.
India has signed MoUs with multiple nations for joint coastal surveys and has stated willingness to share navigational charts with friendly countries.
INS Ikshak, the Indian Navy's advanced Survey Vessel Large (SVL), is currently on an operational deployment to Seychelles, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the island nation. While the Indian Navy has not confirmed whether the vessel will conduct a formal hydrographic survey of Seychelles waters, the ship's capabilities and historical precedent make it a distinct possibility.
Historical Precedent: What INS Nirdeshak Did
The question of a coastal survey carries weight given India's track record in the region. The older INS Nirdeshak — decommissioned by the Indian Navy in 2014 — previously conducted a hydrographic survey off the Seychelles coast, covering waters around Praslin and Mahe, and also mapped the approaches to the Port of Victoria. That precedent has renewed speculation about whether INS Ikshak, a far more capable successor, will carry out a similar mission.
About INS Ikshak and Its Capabilities
INS Ikshak is the third vessel in the new Sandhayak-class of SVLs, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited in Kolkata. The class also includes INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak (the new vessel), and INS Sanshodhak. The ship is equipped with an extensive array of scanners and sensors that allow it to map the seabed with precision — capabilities that few regional navies can match. India has stated it has no hesitation in sharing such charts and navigational maps with friendly nations to enable safer maritime navigation.
What the Navy Has Said
The Indian Navy has described INS Ikshak's deployment as one that 'reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships with friendly nations and advancing peace, security, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.' The port call at Victoria is expected to involve a series of professional interactions with the Seychelles Defence Forces, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability. Specific details of the ship's operational activities during the visit have not been disclosed.
The Broader Strategic Context
The visit aligns with Prime Minister Modi's articulation of his MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, which he outlined ahead of the Seychelles visit. This framework underscores India's intent to deepen ties with Indian Ocean island nations. Notably, several countries have previously signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with India for joint hydrographic surveys of their coastlines, signalling that such cooperation is well-established in India's maritime diplomacy playbook. The deployment of INS Ikshak also serves to showcase India's growing capacity to design and build advanced, specialised naval vessels domestically.
What Comes Next
Whether a formal survey agreement emerges from this visit remains to be seen. Given the historical precedent set by INS Nirdeshak, India's stated openness to sharing navigational data, and the MAHASAGAR framework, analysts expect maritime cooperation — potentially including hydrographic work — to be a key outcome of the Modi-Seychelles engagement.
Point of View
Building navigational dependency and goodwill simultaneously. The MAHASAGAR framing gives this visit a doctrinal anchor that earlier engagements lacked. Yet the Navy's silence on whether a formal survey will take place is notable: if an MoU were signed, it would likely have been announced. The real story may be less about what INS Ikshak does in Seychelles waters this week, and more about whether this visit lays the groundwork for a formal hydrographic partnership — one that would give India a persistent, legitimate presence in strategically vital island waters.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INS Ikshak and why is it visiting Seychelles?
INS Ikshak is the Indian Navy's advanced Survey Vessel Large (SVL), the third ship of the Sandhayak class built by GRSE in Kolkata. It is visiting Seychelles on operational deployment, coinciding with PM Modi's three-day visit, to engage in professional interactions with the Seychelles Defence Forces and strengthen maritime cooperation.
Did India previously survey Seychelles waters?
Yes. The older INS Nirdeshak, decommissioned in 2014, conducted a hydrographic survey off the Seychelles coast, covering waters around Praslin and Mahe as well as the approaches to the Port of Victoria. That mission is the historical precedent being referenced in the current visit.
What is the MAHASAGAR vision PM Modi mentioned?
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. PM Modi outlined this framework ahead of his Seychelles visit as India's strategic approach to deepening ties with Indian Ocean island nations, encompassing security, maritime cooperation, and economic growth.
What makes INS Ikshak significant compared to older survey vessels?
INS Ikshak is part of a newer generation of Sandhayak-class SVLs and carries an extensive array of scanners and sensors for precise seabed mapping — capabilities that the Indian Navy says few regional navies can match. India has also stated it is willing to share such navigational charts with friendly nations.
Has India signed survey agreements with other countries?
Yes. Several countries have previously signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with India for joint hydrographic surveys of their coastlines, establishing such cooperation as a well-used tool in India's maritime diplomacy. Whether a similar agreement emerges from the current Seychelles visit has not been confirmed.
