INS Sharda arrives in Maldives for maiden HADR Exercise
Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Male [Maldives], May 5 (ANI): In line with India's commitment towards regional cooperation, INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in Maldives , for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise planned from May 4-10, according to the Indian Navy As per the statement by the Indian Navy, this deployment is a testament to the strong defence and maritime cooperation betwen India and the Maldives.Notably, this aligns with India's " MAHASAGAR " (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, thereby emphasising on the collaborative efforts to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region As per the Indian Navy, this HADR exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force ( MNDF ). It will focus on actions like Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and community engagement following a major natural disaster.Through such collaborative efforts, India and the Maldives continue strengthening their partnership and ensuring readiness to respond effectively to natural disasters and other humanitarian challenges.According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the importance of India's strategic role in Maldives is well-recognized, with India being seen as a net security provider. Maldives occupies a special place under "Neighbourhood First" Foreign Policy of India, which aims to bring stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the MAHASAGAR vision was outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mauritius in March this year. This encompasses India's expanded strategic vision as India continues its commitment to the well-being and progress of nations in the region as a first responder and a net security provider, based on our Neighbourhood First policy , MAHASAGAR outlook, and on the approach to the extended neighbourhood.Over the past ten years, Indian Navy has deepened its partnerships with maritime agencies of Indian Ocean Region (IOR), to enhance maritime security in consonance with the GoI's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ( SAGAR ).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar
8:52 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge, the world's tallest rail bridge. This engineering feat is a crucial milestone in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, now enabling seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
Kashmir to Kanyakumari rail connectivity now a reality: PM Modi in Jammu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the completion of the long-pending Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project connecting Kashmir to the rest of India, describing it as a landmark moment in India's infrastructure journey and a symbol of national unity. 'Today's programme is a grand celebration of India's unity and willpower,' Modi declared.'With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has now been connected to India's vast railway network. For years, we've spoken of 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' with reverence while describing Mata Bharti—today, that has become a railway reality,' he it a deeply emotional and symbolic achievement for the nation, Modi added, 'The dream of lakhs of people in Jammu & Kashmir has finally been fulfilled. It is indeed our government's good fortune that this project picked up pace during our tenure, and we brought it to completion.' PM Modi also highlighted the project's complexity and said that while the USBRL posed formidable engineering and logistical challenges, the government chose to 'challenge the challenge itself.'The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.'While walking on the Chenab and Anji bridges today, I witnessed the lofty aspirations of India and the skill and courage of our engineers and workers,' PM Modi Prime Minister was addressing a large gathering in Katra after inaugurating the world's highest railway arch bridge, Chenab Bridge, along with India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, Anji Khad Bridge and the first-ever train service directly connecting Kashmir to the Indian milestone event comes just weeks after the Indian Armed Forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists. This marks the first visit of PM Modi to the valley after the terror attack and Operation Sindoor. IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir#Narendra Modi
Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Weeks after Pahalgam attack, PM Modi waves Tiranga atop world's highest rail bridge in Kashmir
Weeks after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday waved the Tiranga, the national flag of India, atop the world's highest railway arch bridge, which was inaugurated by him in Jammu and Kashmir. The powerful moment was captured as PM Modi inaugurated the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, which was completed for ₹1,486 crore in more than eight years. In the video, the Prime Minister is seen waving the Tiranga with fervour, then walking forward proudly flaunting the national flag, a moment many are calling iconic after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Speaking after inaugurating the Chenab Rail Bridge, Prime Minister Modi said that the Pahalgam incident was an attack on 'insaniyat and Kashmiriyat' and said that it was aimed at triggering riots in India. 'Pakistan attacked both humanity and the spirit of Kashmir in Pahalgam,' Modi said during an event in Katra. 'It intended to incite riots in India and to disrupt the livelihood of the hardworking people of Kashmir. That is why Pakistan targeted the tourists,' he added. PM Modi praised how the people of Jammu and Kashmir stood up against Pakistan's conspiracy during Operation Sindoor. 'The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are now determined to give a strong response to terrorism. This is the same terrorism that burned down schools, destroyed hospitals in the Valley, and ruined generations," he added. The iconic Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, is part of the Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, connecting New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra. Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel standing at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history. The project, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir. This marks a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity. The new Vande Bharat Express service will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hours by road to just about 3 hours. The trains aim to provide a fast, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.
