"Our First Responder Role": India Gives Sri Lanka $450 Million in Aid After a Cyclone

According to EAM Jaishankar, India's announcement of a USD 450 million restoration package for cyclone-affected Sri Lanka shows the country's dedication to its nearest neighbor.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar declared on Monday that India "stands firmly with Sri Lanka more than ever before" and offered a USD 450 million rebuilding and aid package for Sri Lanka to aid the island nation in recovering from the destruction inflicted by Cyclone Ditwah.

In talks with Sri Lanka's top leadership, Jaishankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Special Envoy in Colombo, expressed the commitment and gave President Anura Kumara Dissanayake a letter from the Prime Minister.

Speaking in Colombo with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar stated that the package represents New Delhi's long-standing dedication to its nearest neighbor and expands on India's position as a first responder.

Jaishankar stated that talks centered on how "expeditiously this commitment can be delivered." "The letter from Prime Minister Modi that I handed over builds on our first responder role and commits a reconstruction package of US dollars 450 million to Sri Lanka."

He stated that the assistance plan is being finalized in close conjunction with the Sri Lankan government and consists of USD 100 million in grants and USD 350 million in concessional lines of credit.

"It was only natural that India step forward at a time when Sri Lanka faced a crisis, as your closest neighbor and in accordance with our Neighbourhood First and Mahasagar policies," he stated.

Jaishankar cited "Operation Sagar Bandhu," which was initiated the day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall, as an example of India's prompt reaction to the storm.

"On the day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall, India's relief and assistance mission, Operation Sagar Bandhu, began," he stated.

He described the extent of India's support, pointing out that relief supplies were brought by the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and other naval vessels, and that Indian Air Force helicopters flew over Sri Lanka for more than two weeks.

Thousands of people received emergency care from an Indian Army field hospital staffed by 85 medical professionals, while an 80-person National Disaster Response Force detachment carried out rescue and relief efforts.

"Overall, 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material," according to Jaishankar. This included medical supplies, water purification kits, tarpaulins, dry meals, tents, hygiene kits, and basic apparel.

Additionally, he emphasized India's assistance in reestablishing vital connectivity, stating that Prime Minister Modi and the President of Sri Lanka have addressed it as an urgent priority.

To aid in reconnecting impacted areas, Army engineers built a Bailey bridge at Kilinochchi and are currently building another at Chilaw.

Jaishankar outlined the new assistance package's focus areas, stating that it would support efforts to improve disaster response and preparedness, rehabilitate road, railway, and bridge connectivity, build homes that have been completely destroyed or severely damaged, restore health and education systems, and support agriculture.

He stated, "We are conscious that work towards mitigating the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the people of Sri Lanka must be done in the quickest time possible." He also mentioned that an efficient coordination structure for early delivery is being discussed by both sides.

Jaishankar added that India would keep helping Sri Lanka in various ways, such as promoting investment and travel.