India deploys warship to provide largest humanitarian aid to Madagascar

Antananarivo: Ambassador Abhay Kumar handed over 600 tonnes of rice on behalf of the government of India to HE Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba Liva, foreign minister of Madagascar today, brought by INS Shardul to deliver quick relief to the victims of Madagascar floods. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul arrived in Madagascar at Port Antsiranana on March 10, 2020 carrying 600 tons of rice for the people of Madagascar. The rice will be distributed to the people affected by cyclone Diane that hit Madagascar coast in January. Earlier, on January 30, INS Airavat brought immediate relief material. India was the first country to respond during the devastation caused by Cyclone Diane in January 2020. At a function held at the Port Antsiranana on March 12, the foreign minister Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba officially received the consignment of rice from Ambassador Abhay Kumar in the presence of commander Abhishek Pathak, commanding officer of INS Shardul. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Abhay Kumar stated that the rice brought to Madagascar in a warship was the fastest way the relief could be delivered by us for our brothers and sisters in the Indian ocean. This is the second delivery of relief materials for Madagascar flood victims and largest humanitarian aid so far from India to Madagascar. This is also the biggest relief load ever carried by any Indian warship, loaded, transported  and unloaded in record time, for quick relief assistance. The foreign minister of Madagascar stated that the assistance is historic and proves the excellent relationship of Madagascar and India and that a friend in need is a friend indeed. In his remarks in the visitors’ book, the foreign minister wrote—“Very happy to visit INS Shardul and meet its crew. Grateful to the government and the people of India for their generous donation.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh in a tweet. On arrival at the port, the commanding officer of the ship along with Indian Embassy officials called on the mayor of Antsiranana and Military and Navy authorities. INS Shardul is 125 metres long with displacement of 5600 tonnes. There are 320 officers and sailors on board. The ship is scheduled to leave Port Antsiranana of Madagascar on March 14 on completion of its humanitarian mission.