India gives food aid, defence equipments to Mozambique

What is the news? 

India has sent food and defence equipment to Mozambique (central African nation).

India sent food aid through INS Kesari (landing ship tank) to Mozambique under the eight edition of Mission Sagar. It was delivered at Port Maputo of Mozambique. 

Why aid is being sent? 

Mozambique is facing a lot of challenges like terrorism in its northern part. A recent United nation report has warned about Islamic state’s (also known as Da’esh) growing influence in Central African region. 

Da’esh had briefly captured the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia in Mozambique. 

It is also facing the twin challenge like drought and pandemic. 

What recent activities has India carried out under Mission Sagar regarding capacity building in IOR? 

Since the pandemic ships have been deployed to 15 friendly countries under Mission Sagar. 

Similarly, INS Sudarshini has been deployed to gulf region and recently visited Bandar Abbas in Iran. 

INS Kesari, had undertaken humanitarian and medical assistance missions in May-June 2020 to the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros.

India has been lately focusing on supporting Indian Ocean littoral states in capacity building by supplying hardware and equipment. This will help in tackling common maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean region. 

Recently, a declaration of ‘Common Maritime Priorities’ was adopted, at Goa Conclave, to prioritise key maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with an emphasis on capacity building against emerging common maritime threats.

Source: This post is based on the article “India gives food aid, defence equipments to Mozambique” published in The Hindu on 27^th Dec 2021.