Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached out to Sri Lankan President Anura K. Dissanayake, conveying India's profound condolences and unwavering support in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. The Prime Minister reaffirmed India's role as the 'First Responder' in the region, assuring that assistance under the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu will continue as the island nation recovers.
Operation Sagar Bandhu: A Swift Multi-Service Response
In a swift demonstration of its disaster response capability, the Indian government, coordinating closely with Sri Lankan authorities, launched immediate relief efforts. The Indian Navy ships stationed in Colombo delivered an initial 9.5 tons of emergency rations. This was swiftly augmented by the Indian Air Force, which airlifted an additional 31.5 tons of essential relief materials using three of its aircraft.
The rescue operations have been extensive and critical. Chetak helicopters from the INS Vikrant and MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been deployed to airlift stranded citizens from affected areas. The government confirmed that those rescued included vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and individuals with critical injuries.
International Citizens Among the Rescued
The humanitarian mission has had a wide reach, assisting not just Sri Lankan and Indian nationals but also citizens from several other countries caught in the disaster. The official readout stated that the rescued persons included nationals from:
- Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom, South Africa
- Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia
- Pakistan and Bangladesh
Over 150 persons have been rescued and assisted in these combined, ongoing operations, highlighting the scale and international nature of the relief work.
Vision MAHASAGAR and The Path to Rehabilitation
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India's support is in line with its Vision MAHASAGAR, which underscores collective security and growth for all nations in the region. He assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to extend all necessary assistance in the coming days as Sri Lanka undertakes the massive tasks of rehabilitation, resuming public services, and restoring livelihoods across the impacted regions.
In his conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed a powerful message of solidarity, stating that the people of India stand firmly with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need. This interaction and the rapid deployment of resources reinforce India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its established position as a reliable partner during crises in the Indian Ocean region.
