India will extend a ₹External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (Dec 23) announced an aid package of Rs 4,040 crore to Sri Lanka to support cyclone relief, reconstruction and infrastructure repair, underscoring New Delhi’s stepped-up commitment as the island nation grapples with the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster.
During a two-day visit to Colombo, Jaishankar said the aid comes at a particularly difficult time for Sri Lanka, which has only recently begun to stabilize from an economic crisis in 2022.
Why is India entering now?
“Just as Sri Lanka was recovering from an economic crisis in 2022, this natural disaster has created new difficulties,” Jaishankar said, speaking alongside Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijith Herath.
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Cyclone Ditwah, which hit the island nation in late November, killed more than 640 people and caused widespread destruction of homes, transport networks and farmland, including tea plantations vital to Sri Lanka’s economy.
The extent of the damage, officials say, required immediate international support, even as domestic recovery efforts are underway.
What will ₹4,040 crore package to use?
According to Jaishankar, Indian aid will focus on areas worst affected by the cyclone, with priority given to restoring critical connectivity.
The package will support:
- Restoration of railway lines
- Road and bridge repairs
- Rebuilding houses destroyed by the cyclone
According to officials, the emphasis is more on enabling faster economic and social normalization in the affected regions than on short-term aid itself.
What is the significance of Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka?
Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, signaling the political importance New Delhi attaches to Sri Lanka’s recovery.
“The visit underscores India’s Neighborhood First policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
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Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar said: “He landed in Colombo this evening. Thank you @TourismMin representative Ruwan Ranasinghe for the warm welcome. Looking forward to meeting the Sri Lankan leadership tomorrow.”
He is scheduled to meet with Sri Lanka’s top leadership once reconstruction efforts begin.
What is Operation Sagar Bandhu?
India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on 28 November as a large-scale post-cyclone humanitarian and disaster relief effort.
Since then, New Delhi has provided more than 1,134 tons of humanitarian aid, including:
- Dry rations, tents and sails
- Hygiene kits and clothing
- Water purification systems
- 14.5 tons of drugs and surgical equipment
The operation represents one of India’s largest overseas rescue missions in recent years.
How did India provide assistance on the ground?
Several Indian naval vessels – including INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, INS Sukanya and INS Gharial – transported large consignments of relief supplies to Colombo and Trincomalee.
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- Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for immediate search and rescue
- The 85-member Indian Army Field Hospital at Mahiyanganaya, which treated more than 7,000 patients
- Indian Air Force and Navy helicopters to evacuate survivors, transport personnel and deliver supplies
Indian officials described the effort as a reflection of New Delhi’s commitment to regional humanitarian support during crises.
