India steps up as first responder to Sri Lanka’s crisis

New Delhi, Nov 29: As Cyclone Ditwah triggered devastating floods, deaths, displacements and landslides across Sri Lanka, India has rapidly deployed humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reaffirming its role as the region’s first responder.

Guided by the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, New Delhi has dispatched multiple aircraft, ships, disaster response teams, and relief material to support its maritime neighbour.

In a post on X yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with the affected families: “My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. … India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves.” He added that India will stand firmly with Sri Lanka “in its hour of need”.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has been issuing regular updates on the operation. In one message on X, he said: “OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, lands in Colombo.” In another update, he reported: “Two Chetak helicopters from @IN_R11Vikrant took off for Search and Rescue Operations with @airforcelk personnel onboard.”

A subsequent post highlighted the scale of supplies entering Sri Lanka: “Another @IAF_MCC IL-76 aircraft lands in Colombo with: 9 Tons of Relief Material, 2 Urban Search & Rescue Teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel. A total of around 27 tons of relief material delivered by air and sea. More is on the way!”

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR INDIANS IN SRI LANKA

The High Commission of India in Colombo has set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport for stranded Indian citizens. Assistance is being provided with food, water, and coordination support. Those in distress can contact +94 773727832 (including on WhatsApp).

According to a Press Trust of India report from Colombo (Nov 29), the Indian Air Force “swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu” by deploying one C-130 and one IL-76 aircraft from Hindon Air Base. These airlifted 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and eight tonnes of equipment. The first tranche of aid transported by INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri had already been handed over earlier. PTI reported that more than 200,000 people from over 61,000 families have been affected, with 123 deaths and 130 missing confirmed by Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre.

As Colombo struggles with the scale of devastation, New Delhi’s swift mobilisation highlights its expanding humanitarian footprint in the Indian Ocean region. With more aid en route, Operation Sagar Bandhu is emerging as another example of India’s decisive civil-military coordination, similar to earlier HADR missions such as Operation Dost in Türkiye. India’s actions, as PM Modi stated, reflect “a commitment rooted in compassion, responsibility and regional solidarity”, a signal that the neighbourhood policy is not merely diplomatic rhetoric, but operational readiness in times of crisis.