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Mission Sagar: Indian Naval Ship arrives at port of Moroni, Comoros

Posted on: May 31, 2020 | Back | Print


The consignment of COVID-19 related essential medicine supplies from India arrived today (31st May 2020) at the port of Moroni, Comoros onboard INS Kesari and was received by H.E. Mrs. Loub Yacout  Zaidou, Minister of Health, Solidarity, Social Protection and Gender Promotion of Comoros. A 14-member Indian Medical Assistance Team has also arrived onboard INS Kesari to work with the Comorian health authorities. The team will be visiting Comoros from 31st May to 18th June 2020 to help the Government in dealing with Covid-19 situation and dengue fever. 

Medicines were handed over by the Commanding Officer Shri Mukesh Tayal and Hon. Consul of India in Comoros Mr. Saguir Sam. Ambassador Abhay Kumar participated in the handing over ceremony through video call and spoke with the Hon’ble Health Minister ot Comoros, who thanked India for timely and much needed support during the hour of need.

The supply of these medicines and the medical team has been arranged by Government of India at the request of the Government of Comoros. 

The visit of INS Kesari highlights exemplary ties between India and Comoros in dealing with this health crisis in an effective way.

It may be recalled that two naval ships from the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy – INS Mumbai and INS Trikand made a goodwill visit to the port of Moroni from 10-12 May, 2018. Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu visited Comoros on a historic state visit from 10-12 October 2019, during which a number of agreements were signed between the two countries. The foreign Ministers of India and Comoros had a telephonic conversation on 25 April 2020 leading to the deployment of a 14 member Indian Medical Assistant Team to Comoros.

The shipment of essential medicines reflects India’s commitment to work together with its maritime neighbours and partners in the Indian Ocean Region including Comoros. The ‘Mission SAGAR’ also includes supplies for Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles to jointly meet our common challenges in these difficult times. 
SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) reflects India’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region, which was articulated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in March 2015.
 
India remains committed to further strengthening its development partnership with Comoros.