India comes to cyclone-hit Madagascar's rescue

India has delivered massive relief supplies to the cyclone-hit Madagascar in the Indian Ocean region using the amphibious warfare vessel, INS Airavat.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday in a tweet said that India was an early responder to the natural disaster that hit Madagascar on Friday and Saturday.

Around 30 people have been killed and 92,000 people affected by the high-speed winds and floods due to the Tropical cyclone Ava in the eastern coast of the island.

In its rescue and relief efforts 'Operation Vanilla', the Indian Navy delivered food, clothing and medicines in Madagascar.

In a tweet, the Indian mission in Madagascar said Prime Minister Christian Ntsay had accepted the relief materials from Ambassador Abhay Kumar in presence of commander and officers of INS Airavat at Antsiranana.

In a handwritten note, Ntsay thanked India for "solidarity and brotherhood" during the crisis.

Taking to Twitter on January 25, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina had sought international help.

Jaishankar called India's instant response 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for all in the Region), a foreign policy concept that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been promoting.IANS