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On January 17, 2026, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by Radha Mohan Singh, visited the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in Kochi, Kerala, to observe underwater sensors and sonar systems for the Indian Navy. Singh also flagged off INS Sagardhwani for the Sagar Maitri initiative, which promotes collaboration among Indian Ocean Rim nations.

Sagar Maitri, a joint initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO, aims for scientific interaction and socio-economic cooperation. INS Sagardhwani, commissioned in July 1994, has been instrumental in marine research. NPOL conducts oceanographic missions under Sagar Maitri and initiated the MAITRI programme for long-term collaboration in ocean research.