Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa has reached Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice as part of Mission Sagar-IV. The Comoros is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast and has always enjoyed close and friendly relations with India.

INS Jalashwa, the largest amphibious ship of Indian Navy, has been specially sent to Comoros due to its large carrying capacity. This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island country within a span of one year. Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar-I, in May-June 2020, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the nation and had also deployed a specialist medical team to work alongside their counterparts and to render assistance for dengue fever related emergencies.

Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrives in Comoros with the food aid (Image courtesy: Twitter/@IndembTana)

‘Mission Sagar’, builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries and deployment also resonates the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

An official ceremony for handing over the food aid from the Government of India to Government of Comoros was held on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in charge of the Diaspora and Djae Ahamada Chanfi, Minister of Maritime and Air Transport of Comoros. The Indian side was represented by Captain Pankaj Chauhan, Commanding Officer INS Jalashwa.