MEA lists Vande Bharat mission, COVID medical supplies to 154 countries among key achievements

Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said more than 40,000 Indians returned to India in over 230 flights and naval ships and COVID- related medical supplies were provided to over 154 countries, as it highlighted its achievements in first year of Modi government 2.0.

Mammoth coordinating efforts were led by India's High Commissions and Embassies across world under Vande Bharat Mission, an MEA document said.

More than 40,000 Indians have returned to country in over 230 flights and naval ships, it said.

COVID-related medical supply was me to over 154 countries and Rapid Response Teams around world were deployed, MEA said.

In wake of COVID-19 pandemic, MEA also set up a COVID-19 control room manned 24x7 to facilitate emergency requests from stranded Indians.

As part of "corona-era" diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with SAARC leers and a COVID-19 Emergency Fund was created, document said.

Over 100 virtual diplomatic meetings were held to share perspectives on combating virus and tackling post-pandemic challenges, it said.

E-ITEC courses on Covid-healthcare are being offered under MEA’s Development Partnership initiative for partner countries, document said.

As part of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, prime minister visited Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Visits from leers of Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Banglesh, Myanmar and Mauritius took place in last year.

document also highlighted elevation of ties with US and "immensely successful visits of PM Modi and President Trump, of which - 'Howdy, Modi!' and 'Namaste Trump'- were highlights".

It said new dimensions of defence cooperation and partnership with Russia also emerged.

prime minister visited Russia in September 2019 and a USD 1 billion credit line was anunced by Modi for development of Russian Far East, document said.

It also highlighted 'China Connect' as prime minister and President Xi Jinping held ir second Informal Summit in Mamallapuram in October 2019.

MEA underlined India's European connect as President Kovind paid visits to Iceland, Switzerland and Slovenia while Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited Baltic countries last year.

Official visits by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to 10 European countries, state visits by King and Queen of Nerlands, King and Queen of Sweden, German Chancellor and Portuguese President and PM, were also highlighted.

MEA said India for first time participated in Europe-based forums – Mediterranean Dialogue and Munich Security Conference.

First India-Japan '2+2' (Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue) was held and President Kovind visited Japan in October last year, MEA said.

document also highlighted that PM was awarded highest civilian awards in UAE and Bahrain.

inaugural Trilateral Maritime Exercise between India, Singapore & Thailand (SITMEX) was also held.

Stepping up relations with Latin America & Caribbean, Brazilian President was invited as Chief Guest at Republic Day 2020.

first ever India-CARICOM Leers’ meet led by prime minister in September, 2019, MEA document said.

First ever India- Pacific Islands Developing States Summit was held during which prime minister anunced grant support for high impact developmental projects.

MEA also highlighted launch of African projects such as e-VidyaBharti (Tele-education) and e-ArogyaBharti (Tele-medicine) network, and inauguration Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre in Niger and Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute in South Africa.

New Indian Embassies were opened in Eswatini, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Republic of Congo, document said.

Highlighting 'India Way' at UN, prime minister led Indian delegation at UNGA. He also participated in Climate Action Summit and a special event commemorating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was launched at UN.

Prime Minister Modi also led India’s participation at G20 Summit, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, G7 Summit Outreach Sessions, BRICS Summit and ASEAN-related Summits in last year, according to MEA document.

A new specialised division in Ministry for restoration and conservation projects of ancient cultural and herit monuments was created, document said.