Moroni (Comoros): Indian Naval Ship Kesari arrived at the port of Moroni, Comoros today to extend technical assistance to the Comorian Coast Guard. Its arrival assumes significance in face of growing Chinese move to gain a strategic foothold in Indian Ocean island nations in India’s own maritime backyard.
Of late Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been on an island hopping mission and is visiting Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka – nations where India wields considerable influence. Experts interpret Wang’s visit to these nations as Beijing’s “integrated perspective” on them, and in this light, India too is seen to have intensified its efforts to make an impact in these island nations.
The arrival of INS Kesari, is a positive development so far as India is concerned in its endeavour to raise its regional strategic moves with focus on playing to its own strength to check the Chinese ambitions.
INS Kesari comes as a response to the request made by the Comorian Coast Guard (CCG) to the Indian Navy during the recently conducted Goa Maritime Conclave for providing technical assistance in repairing a grounded patrol vessel of CCG: P002-M’ kombozi. The Chief of Comorian Coast Guard Commander Moudjib Rahmane Adane had travelled to India to attend the Goa Maritime Conclave from 7-9 November 2021.
India has always been a reliable responder to the requests made by Comoros. The External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Comoros had a telephonic conversation on April 25, 2020 leading to the deployment of a 14-member Indian Medical Assistant Team to Comoros.
In June 2020, Indian Naval Ship Kesari supplied a consignment of COVID-19 related essential medicines from India and a 14-member Indian Medical Assistance Team arrived on-board INS Kesari to work with the Comorian health authorities in dealing with Covid-19 situation and dengue fever.
The Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu visited Comoros from October 10-12, 2019. Six MoUs were signed during the visit including MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Defence. In March 2021, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa delivered 1000 metric tonnes of rice to Comoros as a fulfilment of the grant announcement made during the visit.
The visit of INS Kesari also reflects India’s commitment to work together with Comoros, its maritime neighbour and partner in the Indian Ocean Region. The Foreign Minister of Union of Comoros Dhoihir Dhoulkamal visited India from February 3-5, 2021 to participate in the Aero India 2021 and IOR Defence Ministers Conclave at Bengaluru. Recently, 12 diplomats from Comoros participated in the 1st Special Course for diplomats from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) organized by Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Delhi from September 20- October 1, 2021.
“India remains committed to further strengthening its development partnership with Comoros that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR that stands for Security And Growth for All in the Indian Ocean Region,” a release from the Indian Embassy stated here today.
– global bihari bureau
