INS Kesari reaches Mauritius with medicines

New Delhi, May 24, 2020

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari entered Port Louis in Mauritius yesterday as part of Mission Sagar by which India is providing assistance to friendly foreign countries in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The ship is carrying COVID-related essential medicines and a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines for the people of Mauritius.

In addition, a 14-member Specialist Medical Team comprising Indian Navy doctors and paramedics is also on board this ship, to work alongside their Mauritian counterparts and together render assistance for COIVD-19 related emergencies.

The Medical Assistance Team includes among others, a Community Medicine specialist, a pulmonologist and an anesthesiologist.

An official ceremony for handing over the medicines was held. Minister for Health, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal received the consignment on behalf of Mauritius. The Indian side was represented by Indian High Commissioner Tanmaya Lal. The minister also interacted with Commander Mukesh Tayal, Commanding Officer of Indian Naval Ship Kesari during the handing over ceremony.

The assistance to Mauritius is a part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Mission Sagar’, is in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region or ‘SAGAR’. This mission highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries of the IOR and builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, an official perss release said.

The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, and other agencies of the Union Government, it added.

NNN