External Affairs Minister supports India's 'Operation Dost' to assist earth

New Delhi: As the number of earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria has crossed 11,200, India has so far flown six C-17 aircraft to help these countries. While India is assisting Turkey on the war front, some cite Turkey’s stance against India in the past. Some Indians on social media questioned how appropriate it is to support such a country. The media also questioned the Indian External Affairs Minister of India about this. While replying to them, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar made it clear that India is a country that always stands for humanity.

Furthermore, he stated, ‘We experience the ups and downs of the geopolitical level daily. But India’s relations with other countries have remained stable during the crisis. India’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam believes in the theory that the whole world is one family’. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar defended the decision to help Turkey by saying that India has always stood by humanity. By carrying out ‘Operation Dost’, India has provided substantial assistance to Turkey, which is in dire straits. This assistance is not limited to material and medical aid. India’s NDRF teams are carrying out rescue operations in Turkey. Medical teams of the Indian Army are also providing treatment and medicines to earthquake victims in Turkey.

India has set up ‘field hospitals’ in Turkey’s earthquake-hit areas, which greatly benefits the needy. The teams are also said to include two officials who know the Turkish language and four foreign ministry officials. India has set up a control room in the Turkish city of Adana. Ten Indians are stranded in Turkey. The Ministry of External Affairs informed that all of them were safe. However, it has been reported that one Indian is missing and his family in India has been contacted by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Five of the six C-17 heavy transport aircraft that India sent to the earthquake victims have landed in Turkey and one of them has been loaded with aid and sent to Syria. Syria thanked India for this assistance. The Ambassador of Syria to India has said that we also expect this help from the south in the future.

India is said to be the foremost country providing this assistance to Syria and Turkey. Pakistan’s media also took notice of this assistance provided by India even when the relations with Turkey were not smooth. The Turkish ambassador also thanked India for this assistance. A friend comes to the aid of a friend, the Ambassador of Turkey in India said gratefully.

मराठी हिंदी