In the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck Vanuatu, India has pledged $500,000 in relief efforts to assist the nation in its recovery. The earthquake, which registered at a magnitude of 6.5, caused significant damage to infrastructure and residential areas. India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, stated, ‘Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu in these challenging times, and India will always stand by its friends.’ Meanwhile, China has also stepped in, sending a shipment of relief supplies and an engineering team to help with rebuilding efforts. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson highlighted, ‘China values its cooperation with Pacific island countries and is committed to sharing weal and woe with them.’ The collaboration between India and China in providing aid to Vanuatu reflects a growing interest in enhancing ties with Pacific nations. Both nations aim to bolster their presence and influence in the region amid increasing geopolitical interests. The quake’s impact has drawn significant attention from global powers, emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation in disaster response. Both India and China have been strategically increasing their investments and disaster relief initiatives across the Pacific Islands, ensuring that they maintain strong diplomatic relations and influence in this geopolitically significant region.
India and China Provide Relief Efforts to Earthquake-Stricken Vanuatu
