The concept of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is a strategic vision and geopolitical framework of the Government of India for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The acronym SAGAR is also the Hindi word for "ocean" or "sea". Prime Minister Narendra Modi first articulated this doctrine on March 12, 2015, during a visit to Mauritius. It emerged as a response to the need for a coordinated approach to maritime challenges and to counter the increased geopolitical competition from China's expanding presence, often associated with its "String of Pearls" strategy.
SAGAR works by positioning India as a "net security provider" and "first responder" in the IOR, guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Its key mechanisms include deepening economic and security cooperation with littoral states through capacity building, such as providing patrol vessels and establishing coastal radar networks in countries like the Maldives and Seychelles. The framework promotes collective action against non-traditional threats like piracy, terrorism, and natural disasters, while upholding international maritime law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This doctrine is integral to India's broader foreign policy, connecting to the Act East Policy, the Neighbourhood First Policy, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). It also operates alongside multilateral structures like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave. The vision has recently evolved: in March 2025, PM Modi articulated an expanded vision called MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), which broadens the focus from the Indian Ocean to a comprehensive global strategy encompassing the wider Global South. While the core principles of security and growth remain, MAHASAGAR explicitly integrates economic diplomacy, technological connectivity, and environmental sustainability into the maritime engagement.