Nueva Delhi: In a significant diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a hand of friendship to the Myanmar military government by sending a team of 80 members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for search and rescue operations in the regions affected by the earthquake of the neighboring country.
Code called ‘Brahma operation‘, India sent on Saturday the contingent of the NDRF to Nay Pyi Taw for rescue work in the Myanmar region, where more than 1,600 dead and more than 2,000 wounded or missing is feared. The team is autonomous and an expert in heavy urban search and rescue operations. Nueva Delhi has also sent equipment and aircraft tools in two outputs for rescue and relief work.
Highlighting the active role of India as a “first respondent” during national disasters and natural calamities in other countries, the spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs announced that Delhi has sent two naval ships to Myanmar. In addition, a field hospital with 118 personnel is scheduled to start later on Saturday, added the spokesman.
The Ambassador of India in Myanmar is in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, to coordinate help efforts, he said, added that so far no victims have been reported among the Indian community in Myanmar. Shortly after the NDRF team went to Myanmar, Prime Minister Modi spoke with General Senior Min Cong Hlaing, expressing his concern about the tragedy and “reaffirming the firm commitment of India as a close friend and neighbor.” The Minister of External Affairs, Jaishankar also declared the support of India in an position on X.