India has strengthened multilateral partnerships via regional mechanisms, Singh said

India has emerged as a regional power and net security provider in the Indo-Pacific, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

This has happened because India's capacity to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its citizens as well as regional partners has grown in recent years, he explained.

Singh was speaking at the multi-agency Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The Defence Minister applauded the contribution of the Indian Armed Forces assistance to civil administration during HADR operations and their role in important HADR missions in the Indo-Pacific region, such as Operation Rahat in 2015 and relief operations in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, Maldives and Madagascar.

Under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is cooperating with multiple partners to ensure economic growth & security in the region while tackling threats such as natural disasters, Defence Minister Singh said.

"We have strengthened multilateral partnerships through engagement via regional mechanisms. This has improved interoperability enabling faster response in crisis situations,” he added.

According to Singh, Asia, particularly the Indo-Pacific region, is vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

He expressed confidence that the participation of national stakeholders with friendly nations in the ‘Samanvay 2022’ will further enhance disaster management capabilities.

Representatives from ASEAN nations are attending the meet, in addition to various national and regional stakeholders involved in Disaster Management.