India & Madagascar hold discussions to intensify defence cooperation

Defence Minister of Magascar, General Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirina, on Friday visited four Indian naval ships in rrn port city of Antsiranana, also kwn as Diego Suarez. During his visit, y held discussions to intensify defence cooperation between India and Magascar. 

On October 1, as part of Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment, ships of Indian Navy's First Training Squron - Indian Naval Ships Tir, Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi - arrived at Antsiranana, Magascar, for a three-day visit. Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navy's mission of building 'bridges of friendship' and strengning international cooperation with friendly countries.

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General Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirinaa dressed a joint press conference along with Indian ambassor Abhay Kumar and Captain Varun Singh Commanding officer of INS Tir.

Rakotonirina said, "Magascar and India's relations are centuries old and re is a reason why ocean that surrounds Magascar is named Indian Ocean." Speaking on occasion, ambassor Kumar also praised Rakotonirina's dynamic leership in deepening defence ties between India and Magascar. 

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Intensified defence cooperation

Kumar also reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security And Growth for All in Indian Ocean Region (SAGAR) and President Andry Rajoelina plan of Emergence of Magascar complement each or and two countries can work toger to fulfil vision. He also cited example of Indian Navy becoming first responder in aftermath of Cyclone Idai that killed more than 600 people in Mozambique in March.

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Furr, Defence Minister, Chief of Malagasy Navy and or senior members of Malagasy Armed Forces interacted with officers of ships onboard and mingled with Indian diaspora. Trainees of Indian Navy also performed various Indian dances on this occasion. India and Magascar h signed a defence cooperation agreement in March 2018 during visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to island nation in Indian Ocean. 

Later in evening, Defence Minister also attended a reception hosted by Ambassor onboard and sung a Hindi song 'Kuchh Kuchh Hota hai' after his speech which he requested to be simultaneously translated into Hindi. reception was also attended by a large number of members of Indian diaspora living in port city of Antsiranana of Magascar. 

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