Operation Sagar Bandhu entered its second week on Monday as India continued providing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most severe natural disasters to strike the island in recent decades.

Launched on 28 November, the mission has made India the first and largest responder, delivering emergency aid by sea and air in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities. The initiative is part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR framework for rapid regional support.

Sri Lankan leaders have publicly acknowledged the response, calling it “swift”, “sustained”, and critical during a period of national emergency. In Trincomalee, where INS Gharial delivered 700 tonnes of food, clothing, and essentials from Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign

See Full Page