Kolkata: Nineteen Bangladeshi crewmen were rescued from a fishing boat named ‘Rana’, by the Indian Coast Guard early this week, official sources revealed here on Saturday.
The boat was adrift for 10 days at the sea southeast of Paradip off the coast of Odisha, because of a mechanical breakdown.
As the first responder on the scene, the Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Varad’ rescued the crew of 19 Bangladeshi nationals on December 8 and strengthened the neighbour-maritime partnership, the official said.
The fishing boat ‘Rana’ was towed to safety and safely handed over by the Indian Coast Guard to the Bangladesh Coast Guard near the International Maritime Boundary Line. More than anything, India showed the initiative and readiness to assist its maritime neighbors in times of need.
Similarly in the past the Bangladeshi side too has come to India’s aid when required. In 2019,
Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 13 Indian crew members on board an Indian fishing boat amidst very rough sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal.
As India celebrated its Navy Day on December 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had underlined the humanitarian assistance the force provides when he said, “The Indian Navy fearlessly protects our coasts and also renders humanitarian assistance in times of need. We also remember India’s
rich maritime tradition over centuries.”
As part of the massive national effort to repatriate Indian citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission, the Ministry of External Affairs worked closely with the Indian Navy under the aegis of Operation
Samudra Setu.
This operation ensured that close to 4000 Indian citizens were repatriated from the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Iran.
Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar also underlined the proximity between the Ministry of External Affairs and the navy as he tweeted, “MEA has been a particularly close partner of the Navy in securing India’s interest abroad. We have also jointly delivered on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that has enhanced India’s stature. Look forward to continuing this partnership.”