Colombo, Dec 22 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will arrive in Sri Lanka on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy and hold meetings with the island nation’s top leadership, the Indian High Commission here said on Monday.
The visit reflects India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and comes in the backdrop of Operation ‘Sagar Bandhu’, launched last month to support Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. India was the first country to respond to Sri Lanka’s international appeal for assistance following the devastation caused by the cyclone.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has provided extensive relief and recovery support. Since November 28, New Delhi has delivered over 1,134 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, clothing, water purification systems, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment.
Indian Naval ships INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, INS Sukanya, LCU-54, LCU-57, LCU-51 and INS Gharial, along with Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaurya, transported large consignments of relief material to Colombo and Trincomalee.
In addition, two National Disaster Response Force teams carried out search and rescue operations, while an 85-member Indian Army Field Hospital set up in Mahiyanganaya provided medical care to over 7,000 patients. Medical centres equipped with BHISHM Arogya Maitri cubes were established in severely affected areas, and 248 tonnes of Bailey Bridge components, along with 48 engineers, were airlifted to restore critical connectivity.
Indian Air Force and Navy helicopters were also deployed to evacuate survivors, transport personnel and deliver relief supplies, underscoring India’s continued support to Sri Lanka during the crisis.
Category: Breaking News
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