In line with the ethos of taking an early initiative whenever there is a humanitarian crisis across the globe, India has become the first country to reach out to the flood-ravaged Madagascar. The Indian Navy launched Operation Vanilla on Tuesday and has deputed its ship, INS Airavat for rescue operations.
In its official statement, the Indian Navy has stated, “Navy has launched ‘Operation Vanilla’ to provide support in view of the national disaster (torrential rains & floods) in Madagascar. INS Airavat (in file pic), which was mission deployed has been diverted for the same.”
Indian Navy: Navy has launched 'Operation Vanilla' to provide support in view of the national disaster (torrential rains & floods) in Madagascar. INS Airavat (in file pic), which was mission deployed has been diverted for the same. pic.twitter.com/vJwDBSHO8n
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2020
INS Airavat, a Shardul-class amphibious warfare vessel, will be deployed to Antsiranana, a port in Northern Madagascar. The vessel, which will carry out humanitarianism relief and disaster management activity, is carrying five pallets each of victualing, clothing and naval stores, apart from three pallets of medicines.
It is relevant to mention here that the devastating floods in the island country have impacted 92,000 people with many getting displaced, and some of them losing lives too.
The Indian Navy operation derives its name out of the Vanilla island nations, of which the flood-ravaged country, Madagascar is a part. The Vanilla islands, known for the cultivation of Vanilla, consist of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion and Seychelles.
They are located in and around the Mozambique channel thus having a crucial strategic location with respect to trade with African nations.
India has developed closer ties with the countries in the region. And especially when it comes to the area of disaster management, India had also reached out to neighbouring Mozambique last year when the country was hit by a devastating Cyclone, India. At that time, INS Sujata, INS Sarathi and INS Shardul were pressed into service by India for rendering disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to the Southeast African country.
Only last week, India was also the first responder when it supplied 30,000 doses of Measles vaccines to another country among the Vanilla Islands, the Maldives within 72 hours of the request made by the island country.
India’s strategy has been to develop closer ties with Vanilla Island countries in order to counter China’s ‘string of pearls’ strategy. In the process, New Delhi has forged close bilateral ties with the countries in the strategically located region.
When it comes to Madagascar, India had also appointed a defence attache for its mission in the African country last month. India also boasts of a listening post and radar facility in Northern Madagascar that is India’s first listening post on foreign soil. Therefore, New Delhi’s ties have strengthened with the island country over the recent past.
It is therefore only appropriate that India has extended a helping hand to Madagascar when the island country is facing deep trouble. New Delhi has time and again emerged as the first responder when the countries in the region are faced by any crisis and this will help in further deepening of India’s influence in the crucial region.