Colombo, May 4 (newsin.asia): India is implementing the ‘SAGAR’ doctrine with “SAGAR” being the acronym of Security and Growth for All in the Region. India has also become the First Responder in cases of disaster in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). All this is in addition to assuming a lead role in providing security to the countries in the region through wide-ranging defense cooperation.
A large consignment of drugs and other medical supplies gifted by India to the people of Sri Lanka was handed over by High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to Channa Jayasumana, Minister of Health in Colombo on 29 April 2022.
The medical consignment that was delivered by the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Gharial has been made available to the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya for their use. The deployment of an INS vessel for ensuring expeditious delivery of the medical supplies to Sri Lanka testifies to the importance, the Government of India attaches to Sri Lanka and the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka.
INS Gharial also had onboard a Wave Rider Boat built by the Sri Lanka Navy which was being shipped to Seychelles. This truly reflects close ties between the two countries and coordination between their defense forces in working together on issues pertaining to the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
In addition, INS Gharial is also scheduled to deliver two Ambulances for the Maldives that were also onboard the ship.
Delivering on a diverse set of needs by the three partner countries in IOR, the deployment of INS Gharial exemplifies India’s SAGAR doctrine – Security And Growth for All in the Region. This also underlines India’s emphasis on meeting the requirements of partner countries in the region, both directly as also in partnership with other countries.
India is widely considered to be the ‘First Responder’ in the IOR. It may be recalled that the immediate deployment of assets by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard in response to the MT New Diamond and the MV XPress Pearl disasters in 2020 and 2021 had mitigated losses and also damage to the marine environment of Sri Lanka substantially.
The Indian Navy had also rushed rescue and relief workers in the wake of heavy floods in Sri Lanka in May 2017 and provided 100 T Liquid Medical Oxygen to fight Covid-19 in August 2021.
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