New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) India has sent 270 metric tonnes of food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea to help the four African countries, reinforcing its image as a "dependable partner" and a net security provider in the region.
The humanitarian assistance is part of the relief package for these Horn of countries which are dealing with the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and natural calamities such as drought.
Indian Navy's Airavat ship carrying wheat flour, rice and sugar left Djibouti on Thursday after delivering 50 metric tonnes of food there. It will reach Mombasa, Kenya, on November 20 to deliver 70 metric tonnes of food meant for South Sudan.
This is the second humanitarian mission launched by the Indian Navy this year. Earlier in April-May, at the peak of the Coronavirus public health crisis, the Navy had deployed INS Kesari to carry out the Covid-19 relief mission.
Known as Mission Sagar, this included providing 580 tonnes of food and medical supplies to the Indian Ocean island nations of the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.
INS Airavat earlier delivered 100 million tonnes of food aid after reaching Port Sudan on November 2, and reached Massawa Port in Eritrea on November 6 and delivered 50 metric tonnes of food aid meant for that country.
India over the years has positioned itself as a development partner of Africa. It also sees itself as a security provider to countries on the east coast of Africa.
India defines the Indo-Pacific stretching from the east coast of Africa to the west coast of the US.
The humanitarian mission is also aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi' vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s foreign policy of development partnership and the country's role as a dependable security partner in Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with the Indian Navy as the first responder in the maritime domain.
The mission carried out in close coordination with the Defence and External Affairs ministries highlights the importance India accords to relations with its maritime neighbours.
"This gesture of Government of India has been greatly appreciated by the countries concerned," Srivastava said.
UNI SRJ RHK1322