Yangon [Myanmar]: In a display of solidarity, India sent 442 tonnes of food assistance to Myanmar on Friday as part of its ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating earthquake that struck the country last month.
The shipment, which included rice, cooking oil, noodles, and biscuits, was transported by the Indian Navy’s landing ship tank INS Gharial and delivered at Thilawa Port. Ambassador Abhay Thakur handed over the aid to Yangon Chief Minister U Soe Thein and his team.
The official account of the Indian Embassy in Myanmar shared on X (formerly Twitter): “Meeting needs of affected people. A large 442 T consignment of food aid (rice, cooking oil, noodles & biscuits) carried by the Indian Navy landing ship tank INS Gharial arrived today at Thilawa Port & was handed over by Ambassador Abhay Thakur to CM Yangon U Soe Thein & team.”
This aid is part of Operation Brahma, India’s comprehensive relief mission initiated after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28, which resulted in thousands of fatalities and significant destruction across Myanmar. The country is still dealing with the aftermath, and India has been swift in its response, taking a leading role in rescue, relief, and recovery efforts.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, expressing India’s commitment to ongoing support and readiness to provide additional assistance if necessary. He also highlighted the importance of restoring democracy promptly through credible elections, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
As part of Operation Brahma, India has delivered a total of 625 metric tonnes of humanitarian relief materials, including this latest shipment. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 80 personnel and four specially trained dogs for rescue operations on the ground. Additionally, the Indian Army has established a field hospital to provide essential medical care to those injured and displaced by the disaster.
