‘Madagascar wants to deepen defence relations with India’ Sun Online Desk 11th February, 2021 10:16:06 Complementing India’s efforts to expand its presence in the western Indian Ocean, a region of increasing strategic significance for global powers, the island nation of Madagascar is pitching for stronger defence ties with India, saying the latter provides a security umbrella to countries in the region. Visiting Madagascar defence minister Richard Rakotonirina tells Sachin Parashar his country wants to gain from India through joint military exercises, capacity building and establishment of a semaphore system on the coast for white shipping. Excerpts from the interview: Could you talk a bit about the significance of Madagascar’s participation in the IOR conclave hosted by India.