Indian Naval Ship Shardul Arrives at Port of Antsiranana, Madagascar

Anatavario, (UNI) Indian Naval Ship Shardul arrived at port of Antsiranana, Madagascar today for Overseas Deployment (OSD) of training squadron.

During the visit, the ship will undertake PASSEX and joint patrolling in Malagasy waters along with the Malagasy Navy on March 24, 2021. The visit of INS Shardul highlights the strengthening defence ties between India and Madagascar as co-partners in the Indian Ocean Region.

Last year, INS Shardul had visited the Port of Antsiranana on March 10, 2020 with relief material comprising 600 tonnes of rice on behalf of India to deliver quick relief to the flood victims of Madagascar. It was the biggest relief load ever carried by any Indian warship, loaded, transported and unloaded in record time, for quick relief assistance.

INS Jalashwa had reached the port of Antsiranana, Madagascar on March 12, 2021 with an Indian Naval training team on-board. The team has been deployed in Madagascar for capacity building and training of the Malagasy Special Forces for two weeks.

INS Jalashwa will reach the Port of Ehoala in South Madagascar on March 22, 2021 to deliver a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice and 100,000 tablets of HCQ to help Madagascar in dealing with the drought situation in South Madagascar.

A 4-member delegation led by Major General Léon Jean Richard Rakotonirina , Minister of National Defence, Republic of Madagascar visited India from February 3 to 5, 2021 to participate in the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence Ministers Conclave at Bengaluru.

India remains committed to further strengthening its partnership with Madagascar that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) for the Indian Ocean Region.

Source: UNI