New Delhi:
As Myanmar shakes from the death and destruction caused by the massive earthquake, India on Saturday delivered 15 tons of relief material and dispatched more supplies in the air and sea with rescuers under the emergency mission “Operation Brahma”.
Speaking to Myanmar General Min Aung Frening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting New Delhi's strong determination to help neighboring countries, said India is in solidarity with the people of the country.
“We have conveyed our deepest sadness to the loss of life in a devastating earthquake. As our best friend and neighbor, India is in solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this difficult time,” the prime minister said in “X.”
I spoke with a senior Myanmar general. We conveyed our deepest sadness to the loss of life in a devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbor, India is in solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this difficult time. Disaster relief materials…
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 29, 2025
“Disaster relief materials, humanitarian assistance and search and rescue teams are being sent quickly to affected areas as part of #OperationBrahma,” he said.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said Indian naval vessels Ins Satpura and Ins Savitri are carrying 40 tons of humanitarian assistance and will head to Yangon Port.
In a social media post, S Jaishankar also said that 80 powerful search and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have departed for Myanmar's capital, Nei Paitau.
They will support rescue operations in Myanmar, he added.
India has deployed NDRF overseas on two previous occasions during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2023 Turkiye earthquake.
In the morning, India delivered 15 tons of relief material to Yangon, Myanmar after Indian Air Force's C130J military aircraft transported the commission to Myanmar cities.
The supply included tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water filters, solar lamps, generator sets, and essential medicines.
Officials say two more IAF aircraft have been loaded with relief material in Myanmar, and the plane will soon depart from the Air Force Base.
Authorities say 60 Parafield ambulances have also been sent into the air to Myanmar as part of Operation Brahma.
“#OperationBrahma is ongoing. The first tranche of humanitarian aid from India has arrived at Yangon Airport, Myanmar,” posted on “X” after India dispatched the first commission of relief supplies.
#operationbrahma @indiannavy Sips Ins Satpura & Ins Savitri carry 40 tons of humanitarian aid and heads to Yangon Port.
🇮🇳🇲🇲 pic.twitter.com/mjcg9dbgnj
– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@drsjaishankar) March 29, 2025
The relief materials were handed over to the Prime Minister of Yangon Wu Zain by Indian envoys to Abuhai Thakur, Myanmar.
India acted as a “first responder” to support the people of Myanmar affected by the major earthquake on Friday, said Randy Jayzwal, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“A team of 80 NDRF personnel is being airlifted from Hinden, Myaziabad to Myanmar, which is being mounted on two IAF sorties. The team is expected to reach by Saturday evening,” an official told PTI.
Pk Tiwary, commander of the 8th NDRF Battalion based in Ghaziabad near Delhi, will lead the USAR (City Search and Rescue) team.
The team is also taking rescue dogs with them for collapsed structural search and rescue operations in accordance with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), officials said.
The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, bridges and other infrastructure.
Myanmar's military-led government said in a statement on Saturday that 1,002 people were killed and another 2,376 were injured, adding that “detailed figures are still being collected.”
The Indian Embassy in Myanmar said it is coordinating the rapid delivery of assistance from India with Myanmar and relief supplies.
“We are constantly touching on the Indian community as well. Repeat the emergency telephone number for poor Indian citizens: +95-95419602”, posted on “X”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern about the devastating earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand, saying India is ready to provide all possible assistance to both countries.
“We are concerned about the situation in the wake of the earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand. We wish everyone safety and happiness,” Modi said in “X.”
“India is ready to provide all the support. In this regard, we asked the authorities to take a standby and we also asked the MEA to stay in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published by Syndicate Feed.)
