India and Comoros have always enjoyed close and friendly relations and have similarities of view on regional and global issues

As part of its 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) strategy in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian Naval ship INS Kesari carrying essential medicines and a team of specialist doctors entered Port of Moroni in Comoros on Sunday.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, in addition to medicine, a 14-member specialist medical team comprising Indian Navy doctors and paramedics has also reached Comoros to work alongside their counterparts in the East African country and render assistance to it in fighting dengue fever and the Covid-19 pandemic.

An official ceremony for handing over the medicines from India to Comoros was held on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Loub Yacout Zaidou, Minister of Health, Solidarity, Social Protection and Gender Promotion of Comoros.

The Indian side was represented by Commander Mukesh Tayal, Commanding Officer Indian Naval Ship Kesari, and Consul of India in Comoros Saguir Sam.

Comoros and India have always enjoyed close and friendly relations and have similarities of view on regional and global issues.

The assistance to Comoros is part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and for dengue fever. ‘Mission Sagar’, builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant difficulties.

The deployment represents the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries in the IOR.

The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, and other agencies of the Indian government.