Mission Sagar: India’s helping hand across Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 outbreak

News:Government of India has launched Mission Sagar amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

Facts:

  • Aim: To provide two medical assistance teams, medicines and essential food items related to Covid-19 to five Island nations in the Indian Ocean namely Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros.
  • Indian Naval Ship(INS) Kesari has been deployed under this mission.
  • Implementation:It is being implemented in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs and other agencies of the Government of India.
  • The mission has been deployed under India’s vision of Security and Growth of All in the Region(SAGAR) in the Indian Ocean.

Additional Facts:

SAGAR:

  • The term was coined by the Indian Prime Minister in 2015.
  • It is a maritime initiative which gives priority to Indian Ocean region for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in Indian Ocean region.
  • The initiative aims at 
    • enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories & interests 
    • deepening economic and security cooperation in the littoral and 
    • action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy,terrorism.