Operation Sagar Bandhu: India Sends Chetak Choppers, Aid to Cyclone Ditwah-Hit Sri Lanka

India Today

In this Special Report, India Today Global Editor Pranay Upadhyay details India's humanitarian response to Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Speaking to anchor Suyesha Savant, Upadhyay explains that 'Operation Sagar Bandhu has been launched by India', marking a significant deployment of two Chetak helicopters from the INS Vikrant for search and rescue missions. He notes that this is the first time the Indian Air Force has provided helicopter-borne aid to a foreign nation since similar assistance in 1957. The report highlights India's 'Neighborhood First' policy, with the government also establishing a helpline for stranded Indian nationals. Additionally, the Indian Navy is coordinating relief efforts, having already dispatched aid material to the cyclone-hit island nation.

Transcript

00:00Meanwhile, India has intensified Operation Sagar Bandhu to Chetak choppers with IAF personnel

00:10that have been moved to Sri Lanka. IAF personnel to assist in rescue and relief operations this

00:18after the storm that hammered Sri Lanka completely. Ditwa that is moving towards

00:23Tamil Nadu coast now and India has come to the help of Sri Lanka where they've intensified

00:29Operation Sagar Bandhu. In fact, in the latest that is just coming in, two Chetak choppers

00:34with IAF personnel who have already moved to Sri Lanka. Pictures of those on the right

00:38of your screens and how India is extending all possible help at this critical time.

00:45Pranayopadhyay joining us on the phone line with further details of how the Chetak choppers

00:52have already landed in Sri Lanka and the help that is being extended to Sri Lanka at this point.

00:59Absolutely, Suresha. And if you see, Operation Sagar Bandhu has been launched by India.

01:04Two Chetak helicopters from the INS Vikrant took off for the search and rescue operation to aid the

01:11Air Force of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan personnel on board. So this is for the first time the Indian

01:17Air Force has ever provided aid via helicopters to a foreign country. And that was also, you know,

01:23the earlier, the similar help was provided by India to Sri Lanka in 1957 as well through helicopters.

01:30And this is a very significant thing. And besides that, to aid and help the Indian National

01:36Fair, Committee of India has also launched a helpline number through our mission in Sri Lanka.

01:42If any Indian who is stranded there, who needs any help and assistance, so that assistance is also

01:48being provided. And Indian Navy is also coordinating and providing help and assistance to Sri Lanka.

01:54Besides that, India has already dispatched aid material for Sri Lanka. So this is part of

02:02India's neighbourhood policy. If you see, in any time of distress and duration, India

02:07provides, India becomes the first responder for the neighbouring countries.

02:13Absolutely, Pranay. And we'll keep coming back to you for further updates for the moment.

02:17And there, Pranay, getting us all the details of Cyclone Ditwa that has caused visitor damage

02:31in Sri Lanka. India has come to the rescue. In fact, two Chetak choppers that have already

02:36landed in Sri Lanka to extend all the possible help. IF personal who will be assisting in the

02:42relief and rescue operations. And Cyclone Ditwa that is now slowly moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast,

02:49which again is critical and preparation happening on that front to ensure that the damage is

02:55minimal, whether it is about life or property. And India also understanding the criticality of

03:02the situation, hence help being provided to Sri Lanka to this effect.

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