June 08, 2020: The second consignment of essential medicine supplies to Seychelles arrived from India on June 7 in Port Victoria aboard INS Kesari.

The secretary of state for foreign affairs & Blue Economy Barry Faure & secretary of state for health Marie Pierre Lloyd jointly received the consignment on behalf of government of Seychelles from the high commissioner of India general Dalbir Singh Suhag. The shipment includes essential and critical medicines which caters to most of the common ailments in Seychelles including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. The supply of these medicines has been arranged by government of India at the request of the government of Seychelles.

It may be recalled that the first consignment of urgent medicine supplies of 4 tonnes from India was airlifted and delivered in Seychelles on a war footing through a chartered Air India aircraft on April 15, at the peak of first wave of Covid-19 in Seychelles.

The shipment of essential medicines aboard INS Kesari is part of the ‘Mission SAGAR’ that reflects India’s commitment to work together with its maritime neighbours and partners in the Indian Ocean Region. As a mark of gratitude and friendship, Indian Navy on its part, handed over 2 medical evacuation pods for transferring Covid-19 patients by air. The ‘Mission SAGAR’ has also included supplies for Maldives, Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros to jointly meet our common challenges in these difficult times. Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) reflects India’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region, which was articulated by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Seychelles in March 2015.