With its Deep Rescue Vehicle, INS Nistar is built to perform deep-sea submarine rescue operations. The technology can also be installed on additional ships, referred to as “Vessels of Opportunity,” if necessary.
India has made significant progress in its naval outreach and maritime diplomacy with its participation in the multinational Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 in the South China Sea.
With more than 40 participating countries, including the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore, the exercise focuses on submarine safety and rescue, two crucial aspects of contemporary underwater combat readiness.
India became one of the few countries with advanced submarine rescue capabilities when it deployed INS Nistar, its recently commissioned Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV)-support ship. This was the first significant multilateral operational debut of the platform, which can operate DSRVs up to 650 meters.
India’s action reinforces international maritime standards against unilateral or coercive claims and strategically reflects its affinity with an Indo-Pacific vision that is free, open, and inclusive.
India conveys its capabilities and intention to participate responsibly in regional maritime security without resorting to direct conflict by placing assets in disputed waters. China’s participation as an observer further emphasized India’s sophisticated strategy of actively engaging with like-minded allies but steering clear of escalating optics.
Operationally, the exercise gave India the opportunity to demonstrate deep-sea rescue technologies, take part in submarine rescue drills in the sea and in the harbor, and hold technical knowledge-sharing sessions and medical symposiums.
In the event of an underwater accident or other marine emergency, this kind of cooperation strengthens India’s interoperability with other fleets, fosters confidence in crisis response, and increases trust in systems-level cooperation.
India is positioned as a reliable partner in international humanitarian and rescue frameworks by joining together with top submarine-operating nations.
From a diplomatic standpoint, India’s involvement expands multilateral defense networks beyond the conventional trilateral and bilateral frameworks. In addition to previous naval engagements with nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, India’s capacity to participate in coalition exercises of this magnitude enhances its presence in Southeast Asia and gives it more diplomatic clout.
This development projects influence not only in the Indian Ocean but also into broader regional maritime routes that transport the majority of world trade, which is consistent with India’s Act East policy and the broader Indo-Pacific framework.
India’s contribution to collective stability mechanisms helps maintain regional balance by reassuring smaller regional nations of India’s dedication to safety, peace, and rules-based cooperation.
The South China Sea is still disputed; China’s broad maritime claims are increasing tension with ASEAN nations, while India’s restrained but noticeable naval presence shows support for international law while preserving lines of communication and crisis management.
In the end, Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 solidifies India’s developing reputation as a reliable marine force prepared to share control of the world’s commons.
India has strengthened its growing global naval profile and expanded its security footprint in the Indo-Pacific by fusing diplomatic balancing, multilateral networking, operational demonstration, and strategic signaling.
