Six years after a devastating cyclone struck Madagascar, India has solidified its role as the island nation's most reliable maritime partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean. In late January 2020, Cyclone Diane unleashed days of torrential rain on Madagascar, triggering flash floods, landslides and widespread destruction. At least 31 people died, more than 16,000 were displaced, and over 100,000 were affected, according to official reports at the time. President Andry Rajoelina declared a national emergency and appealed for urgent international help.India responded swiftly. The Indian Navy diverted INS Airavat, already in the southern Indian Ocean, to the northern port of Antsiranana. The mission, named Operation Vanilla, saw the ship deliver essential supplies including tents, blankets, medicines, food and clothing in early February. Medical teams set up clinics and assisted local rescue efforts.Weeks later, INS Shardul arrived with 600 tonnes of rice, the largest single relief cargo ever carried by an Indian naval vessel, to address acute food shortages. The humanitarian effort marked India as the first foreign responder and opened doors to deeper ties under its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.Defence cooperation followed rapidly. Madagascar's defence minister visited India in February 2020 for high-level talks. In 2021, the navies held their first joint patrol of Madagascar's Exclusive Economic Zone and a passing exercise. Indian training teams later instructed Malagasy special forces.Indian ships have since made regular port calls. INS Tir and Coast Guard vessels visited in 2023, while INS Sumedha conducted maritime partnership exercises. Cultural links grew, too, with events like International Yoga Day observances.High-level diplomacy accelerated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Rajoelina in Dubai in 2024. Madagascar's armed forces minister attended Aero India in Bengaluru in 2025, holding talks with India's defence leadership. India's Minister of State for Defence attended Madagascar's Independence Day celebrations in June 2025.Madagascar joined the inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) exercise in Tanzania in April 2025, alongside other regional navies, focusing on interoperability and shared security.Six years on, what started as cyclone relief has evolved into a robust partnership encompassing humanitarian aid, naval operations, capacity-building and strategic dialogue.

Six years on, what started as cyclone relief has evolved into a robust partnership encompassing humanitarian aid, naval operations, capacity-building and strategic dialogue.

Six years after a devastating cyclone struck Madagascar, India has solidified its role as the island nation's most reliable maritime partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean. In late January 2020, Cyclone Diane unleashed days of torrential rain on Madagascar, triggering flash floods, landslides and widespread destruction. At least 31 people died, more than 16,000 were displaced, and over 100,000 were affected, according to official reports at the time. President Andry Rajoelina declared a national emergency and appealed for urgent international help. India responded swiftly. The Indian Navy diverted INS Airavat, already in the southern Indian Ocean, to the northern port of Antsiranana. The mission, named Operation Vanilla, saw the ship deliver essential supplies including tents, blankets, medicines, food and clothing in early February. Medical teams set up clinics and assisted local rescue efforts. Weeks later, INS Shardul arrived with 600 tonnes of rice, the largest single relief cargo ever carried by an Indian naval vessel, to address acute food shortages. The humanitarian effort marked India as the first foreign responder and opened doors to deeper ties under its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Defence cooperation followed rapidly. Madagascar's defence minister visited India in February 2020 for high-level talks. In 2021, the navies held their first joint patrol of Madagascar's Exclusive Economic Zone and a passing exercise. Indian training teams later instructed Malagasy special forces. Indian ships have since made regular port calls. INS Tir and Coast Guard vessels visited in 2023, while INS Sumedha conducted maritime partnership exercises. Cultural links grew, too, with events like International Yoga Day observances. High-level diplomacy accelerated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Rajoelina in Dubai in 2024. Madagascar's armed forces minister attended Aero India in Bengaluru in 2025, holding talks with India's defence leadership. India's Minister of State for Defence attended Madagascar's Independence Day celebrations in June 2025. Madagascar joined the inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) exercise in Tanzania in April 2025, alongside other regional navies, focusing on interoperability and shared security. Six years on, what started as cyclone relief has evolved into a robust partnership encompassing humanitarian aid, naval operations, capacity-building and strategic dialogue.

Six years on, what started as cyclone relief has evolved into a robust partnership encompassing humanitarian aid, naval operations, capacity-building and strategic dialogue.

Operation Vanilla legacy: India becomes Madagascar's go-to partner in crisis and security

India and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-welcomes-indias-help-to-deal-with-floods-pm-ntsay-says-indian-navys-presence-is-welcomed-278056">Madagascar </a>on Thursday discussed maritime security cooperation, as part of their efforts to ramp up defence presence in western Indian Ocean.

On the second day of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-expo-2020-showcases-indias-potential-to-become-a-manufacturing-hub-278918">DefExpo 2020</a>, Union Defence Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-expo-2020-showcases-indias-potential-to-become-a-manufacturing-hub-278918">Rajnath Singh</a> held dialogue with Lieutenant General Rokotonirina Richard, his counterpart in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-welcomes-indias-help-to-deal-with-floods-pm-ntsay-says-indian-navys-presence-is-welcomed-278056">Madagascar</a>, an Indian Ocean island nation off the coast of East Africa and discussed a gamut of issues related to strategic partnership.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-welcomes-indias-help-to-deal-with-floods-pm-ntsay-says-indian-navys-presence-is-welcomed-278056">Madagascar welcomes India's help to deal with floods; PM Ntsay says Indian Navy's presence is welcomed</a>

During the discussions, Singh stressed on enhancing ties in maritime security cooperation in the region, an official release said.

Singh said as maritime neighbours both countries have responsibility to ensure a secure maritime environment so that trade and commerce flourish.

Underlining the Indian president's visit to Madagascar in March 2018, he said the historic visit reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-deploys-ins-airavat-to-flood-ravaged-madagascar-for-humanitarian-assistance-277156">India deploys INS Airavat to flood-ravaged Madagascar for humanitarian assistance</a>

He emphasised that the MoU signed during the visit provided an enabling framework for defence cooperation between the two sides.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-expo-2020-showcases-indias-potential-to-become-a-manufacturing-hub-278918">DefExpo 2020</a> would provide a platform for both the countries to further strengthen the defence ties and in exploring various areas of mutual engagement, Singh said.

Gen Richard acknowledged that India has a great role to play in preserving security in the Indian ocean maritime region.

He expressed his government's sincere gratitude for 'Operation Vanilla', in which the Indian Navy provided assistance to the affected population of Madagascar post devastation caused by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-welcomes-indias-help-to-deal-with-floods-pm-ntsay-says-indian-navys-presence-is-welcomed-278056">Cyclone Diane</a>.

The defence minister of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-welcomes-indias-help-to-deal-with-floods-pm-ntsay-says-indian-navys-presence-is-welcomed-278056">Madagascar </a>invited Singh to the independence day celebrations on June 26 this year.&nbsp;

India and Madagascar on Thursday discussed maritime security cooperation, as part of their efforts to ramp up defence presence in western Indian Ocean. On the second day of DefExpo 2020, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held dialogue with Lieutenant General Rokotonirina Richard, his counterpart in Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island nation off the coast of East Africa and discussed a gamut of issues related to strategic partnership.

India and Madagascar on Thursday discussed maritime security cooperation, as part of their efforts to ramp up defence presence in western Indian Ocean. On the second day of DefExpo 2020, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held dialogue with Lieutenant General Rokotonirina Richard, his counterpart in Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island nation off the coast of East Africa and discussed a gamut of issues related to strategic partnership. Also read: Madagascar welcomes India's help to deal with floods; PM Ntsay says Indian Navy's presence is welcomed During the discussions, Singh stressed on enhancing ties in maritime security cooperation in the region, an official release said. Singh said as maritime neighbours both countries have responsibility to ensure a secure maritime environment so that trade and commerce flourish. Underlining the Indian president's visit to Madagascar in March 2018, he said the historic visit reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relationship between the two nations. Also read: India deploys INS Airavat to flood-ravaged Madagascar for humanitarian assistance He emphasised that the MoU signed during the visit provided an enabling framework for defence cooperation between the two sides. The DefExpo 2020 would provide a platform for both the countries to further strengthen the defence ties and in exploring various areas of mutual engagement, Singh said. Gen Richard acknowledged that India has a great role to play in preserving security in the Indian ocean maritime region. He expressed his government's sincere gratitude for 'Operation Vanilla', in which the Indian Navy provided assistance to the affected population of Madagascar post devastation caused by Cyclone Diane. The defence minister of Madagascar invited Singh to the independence day celebrations on June 26 this year.

India holds talks with Madagascar on maritime security tie-up

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Operation Vanilla legacy: India becomes Madagascar's go-to partner in crisis and security

India holds talks with Madagascar on maritime security tie-up