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New Delhi: On the initiative of the government `Mission SAGAR`, the Indian naval ship Kesari arrived on Tuesday (May 12) at the port of Male in the Maldives, transporting 580 tons of essential food. This move is part of a gesture of goodwill by the people of India to the people of the Maldives during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.
Sharing it on his official Twitter account, India in the Maldives said: “Mission SAGAR … touching the first shores! #INSKesari entering the port of Male, the first destination of #MissionSAGAR. It carries 580 tons of essential food as a gift from the people of #India to the people of #Maldives. “
SAGAR mission … touching the first shores! #INSKesari entering the port of Male, the first destination of #MissionSAGAR. She carries 580 tons of essential food as a gift from the people of #India to the people of #Maldives.@PMOIndia @MEAIndia @MoFAmv pic.twitter.com/zcbEw0XuTS
– India in the Maldives (@HCIMaldives) May 12, 2020
`Mission Sagar` is inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of SAGAR – Security and growth for all in the region.
Earlier on Sunday, India dispatched INS Kesari, carrying two teams of medical assistance, medicines and essential foods, to countries in the southern Indian Ocean as part of the ‘Sagar Mission’.
Countries, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles, requested assistance from India to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care teams will be deployed in Mauritius and Comoros, helping their governments deal with the COVID-19 emergency and dengue (in the case of Comoros), the Foreign Ministry said.
Following the Maldives, the ship will also deliver shipments of COVID-19-related essential drugs to Mauritius, Madagascar, the Comoros and Seychelles.
In the case of Mauritius, a special shipment of Ayurvedic medicines is reportedly being sent, the ministry further stated, adding that shipments destined for Madagascar and Comoros also include hydroxychloroquine tablets, which have previously been shipped to Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles.
India has already supported the efforts of the governments of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Seychelles by providing shipments of essential drugs related to COVID-19. A team of select medical personnel was also dispatched to the Maldives to increase the Maldivian government’s preparedness to combat this crisis, the MEA said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy ship Jalashwa will evacuate approximately 700 Indian nationals from Male to Kochi on May 15, during its second repatriation outing under the Indian government’s Operation Samudra Setu. The Navy ship already repatriated 698 citizens to India on May 10 during its first departure.
(With contributions from the agency)
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