Jaishankar Embarks on Sri Lanka Relief Mission as India's Neighbourhood First Policy Takes Center Stage
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has arrived in Sri Lanka as a special envoy of the Prime Minister to oversee relief and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The devastating cyclone, which struck on November 28, left a trail of destruction, affecting over 2.2 million people, with over 1.2 million requiring assistance. Jaishankar's visit is a testament to India's commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy, which has been instrumental in providing humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. Since the cyclone made landfall, India has been at the forefront of relief efforts, dispatching hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies, deploying search-and-rescue units, and setting up a field hospital manned by the Indian Army. Within the first three days, Indian Navy warships and Air Force aircraft delivered 53 tonnes of emergency relief materials. A C-17 Globemaster airlifted a modular field hospital, including medical equipment and personnel, on December 2. On December 6, warships from Tamil Nadu transported 997 tonnes of dry rations and other relief materials to Sri Lanka. India's swift response has been instrumental in saving lives. Over 450 people were rescued and assisted by trained disaster responders, while the Indian Army's field hospital in the Badulla district has treated over 3,400 individuals. Jaishankar's meetings with Sri Lankan leadership will focus on further strengthening relief efforts and facilitating a smooth recovery process.
