Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed a Multi-Agency Exercise (MAE) and inaugurated an equipment display on the second day of PANEX-21, a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise for BIMSTEC member nations, organised at College of Military Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, on December 21, 2021.
Rajnath witnessed demonstration of the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to launch swift, coordinated, and incremental relief efforts in case of occurrence of any natural calamity in a particular region. The exercise saw a coordinated display of rescue and relief efforts by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. In simulated disaster conditions, the synergised application of resources of the Armed Forces and other premiere disaster relief agencies of the country resulted in rescue of the stranded people as well as early restoration of essential services and opening of all lines of communications.
The equipment display, organised in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), is aimed at showcasing the niche industrial capabilities and capacities of the Indian industry on disaster relief operations. Many innovative solutions, capabilities, and range of products to assist government agencies in planning, preparation, and conduct of HADR operations were demonstrated before the delegates of member nations of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). A compendium of the products was also released by the Defence Minister on the occasion, according to a PIB release.
In his address, Rajnath termed BIMSTEC as one of the most important and closely-knit group of countries which has the potential to build a symbiotic partnership amongst like-minded nations by strengthening existing civilisational bonds. Lauding the member nations for standing by each other during natural calamities, he said, the PANEX-21 provides a fresh impetus for creating a more cohesive mechanism to respond to the HADR challenges in the region.
Rajnath exuded confidence that the exercise will facilitate improved coordination for meeting future challenges related to cyclones and earthquakes and threats like Covd-19.“ Efforts by a nation directly affected by natural disaster, may quite understandably fall short due to the huge magnitude of such disasters. Thus, a multilateral effort, involving partners in Bay of Bengal region, will act as a force multiplier in pooling-in resources and orchestrating relief measures. It will accelerate the process of providing relief to people distressed due to the natural disaster,” he said.
Rajnath reiterated India’s vision for the Indian Ocean region (IOR), which is based on the concept of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called for deepening economic and security cooperation in the littorals; enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories; working towards sustainable regional development; blue economy and promoting collective action to deal with non-traditional threats like natural disasters, piracy and terrorism.
The Defence Minister praised the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for incorporating HADR operations as one of the foremost elements in their vision and for being the first responder in IOR. He made special mention of the pivotal role played by the defence forces and ICG in the fight against COVID-19.
Rajnath hoped that the PANEX-21 will create the necessary groundwork for BIMSTEC nations to strengthen protocols, involving all stakeholders, to respond to future disasters. He called for consolidating and publishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to aid member states, expedite the conduct of disaster relief operations, and save precious lives.
Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lieutenant General J S Nain, and senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion. The PANEX-21 is being held from December 20-22, 2021.
