New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Jalashwa delivered a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and 100,000 tablets of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) at Port Ehoala to deal with natural calamities in Madagascar, as per of Mission Sagar-IV.
“An official ceremony for handing over the aid from the Government of India to Government of Madagascar was held on 23 March 2021,” according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
The ceremony was attended by Christian Ntsay, the Prime Minister of Madagascar, Jerry Hatrefindrazana, Governor of Anosy Region and Georges Mamy Randrianiaina, Mayor of Fort Dauphin, it added
The Indian side was represented by Abhay Kumar, Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Captain Pankaj Chauhan, Commanding Officer INS Jalashwa.
This is second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island nation within a span of one year.
Earlier in May-June last year, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the country, as part of Mission Sagar-I, the ministry said.
“INS Jalashwa’s visit is in keeping with India’s response to the disasters that have struck Madagascar in the past years,” it said.
The outreach by the government of India aims to help Madagascar tide over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and severe drought that they have been facing.
‘Mission Sagar’ builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries to battle the natural calamities and its resultant difficulties.
On the other hand, the deployment also resonates the vision of our Prime Minister of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries in the IOR.
This operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies of the government of India, the statement added.
-RJV
