India has emerged as a net security provider in Indo-Pacific, says Defence Minister at multi-agency HADR exercise 'Samanvay 2022'

Representatives from ASEAN nations & national & regional stakeholders involved in disaster management attending the exercise Defence Minister calls for sharing of information, resources & equipment to deal with future natural disasters

India has emerged as a regional power and net security provider in the Indo-Pacific as its capacity to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its citizens as well as regional partners has grown in recent years. This was stated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the multi-agency Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise 'Samanvay 2022' in Agra, Uttar Pradesh recently.

Mr. Rajnath Singh asserted that under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is cooperating with multiple partners to ensure economic growth & security in the region while tackling threats such as natural disasters. "We have strengthened multilateral partnerships through engagement via regional mechanisms.

This has improved interoperability enabling faster response in crisis situations," he said. Defence Minister pointed out that Asia, particularly the Indo-Pacific region, is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, expressing confidence that the participation of national stakeholders with friendly nations in the 'Samanvay 2022' will further enhance disaster management capabilities.

Defence Minister highlighted that prediction of natural disasters has to be accompanied by dissemination of information to a larger population and shifting people to safer locations, which requires an empowered machinery. As nations have different capacities, collaborative preparation to deal with disasters is required, he stressed.