New Delhi: The annual joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise ‘Samanvay’ with ASEAN countries came to an end at Air Force Station Agra on Wednesday.
The three-day exercise included seminars, static and flying displays, table top, multi-agency exercises on disaster management. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the capability demonstration programs on the second day of the exercise and expressed confidence that the participation of national stakeholders along with friendly nations in ‘Samanvay’ will further enhance disaster management capabilities.
The planned capability demonstration events were conducted during the annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise. The ‘Samanvay’ exercise was able to promote the approach of various national and regional agencies involved in disaster management including civil administration, armed forces, NDMA, NIDM, NDRF, DRDO, BRO, IMD, NRS and INCOIS. The aim of the exercise was to provide a unique platform for the exchange of domain knowledge, experience and best practices with the participating ASEAN member states.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the capability demonstration programs as the chief guest, said that in recent years India has emerged as a regional power in the Indo-Pacific region with the ability to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its citizens as well as regional partners. has emerged. He emphasized that we have strengthened multilateral partnership by creating engagement through regional structures. It has improved interoperability to enable faster response in crisis situations.
Singh appreciated the role of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force during relief operations in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, Maldives and Madagascar.
Rajnath Singh called upon nations to come together to deal with natural disasters by sharing resources, equipment and training. He said that there is a need for regional cooperation in HADR and sharing of information for best practices. He stressed that strengthening the disaster relief mechanism is essential for overall development.
Representatives of ASEAN countries and civil administration, armed forces, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Border Roads Organization (BRO) participated in the exercise.
Various national and regional stakeholders involved in disaster management including Indian Meteorological Department (BRO), India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) and Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) participated. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary and other senior civil and military officers were present on the occasion.