Article:
India recently launched a mission, christened “Mission Sagar”, responding to the call for aid from countries in the South Indian Ocean. The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari was dispatched carrying essential food items and medical assistance teams to lend support in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic. This mission not only demonstrates India’s commitment to its neighbours but also affirms its position as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region.
Mission Sagar – A Pan-Nation Initiative
The beneficiaries of this operation include Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles. These nations, struggling under the burden of the Covid-19 crisis, had requested India’s assistance. Unique to this initiative is the breadth of support offered, covering all island countries of the Western Indian Ocean in one single mission. Sri Lanka, while not part of this specific relief sweep, received a second batch of medicines airlifted separately.
Alignment With The Indian Ocean Commission
In a significant development, India has recently gained observer status to the influential Indian Ocean Commission, a regional organization that includes Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and French department La Réunion. Mission Sagar’s strategic assistance effectively aligns with the Commission’s interests, further bolstering cooperation within the region.
Aid Packages And Medical Support
The aid packages being delivered consist of Covid-related essential medicines, earmarked for Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles. Specifically, 600 tonnes of food items are being sent to Maldives. In an interesting twist, India is also sending a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines to Mauritius. Among the medical supplies being delivered are Hydroxychloroquine tablets.
India also plans to deploy Medical Assistance Teams in Mauritius and Comoros under this mission, to lend support to the local governments in managing the Covid emergency and, in the case of Comoros, to help combat an outbreak of dengue fever as well.
Prime Minister’s Vision – SAGAR
This medical aid mission aligns with the Prime Minister’s strategic vision titled ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ or SAGAR, launched in 2015. Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities.
Fundamentally, SAGAR aims to safeguard India’s national interests, while also advocating for an inclusive, collaborative, and law-abiding Indian Ocean region. The relevance of SAGAR becomes even more significant when viewed in conjunction with other maritime policies formulated by India such as the Act East Policy, Project Sagarmala, Project Mausam, and its focus on Blue Economy, positioning India as a ‘net security provider’ in the region.
As Mission Sagar unfolds, it serves as an exemplar of India’s commitment to maintaining security and ensuring growth in the region, amidst the backdrop of a global healthcare crisis.