NEW DELHI: India has launched ‘Operation Dost‘ to extend assistance to Turkey and Syria, the nations hit by an intense 7.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks . A field hospital set up by the Indian Army in Hatay province of Turkey has become operational with surgical and emergency wards to provide succour to the affected people days.
Indian Air Force’s C17 Globemaster aircraft with medical equipment, ration and relief equipment took off for Turkey, as part of ‘Operation Dost’. Talking about the said operation said, Union minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan said: “India stands ready to extend support to the people of Turkey in this hour of grief. India has always been coming to the help of people across the world and humanitarian assistance has been provided in various countries across the world. So this is another such an example.”
Operation Dost and other aids sent by India
Indian Air Force’s C17 Globemaster aircraft with medical equipment, ration and relief equipment took off for Turkey, as part of ‘Operation Dost’. Talking about the said operation said, Union minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan said: “India stands ready to extend support to the people of Turkey in this hour of grief. India has always been coming to the help of people across the world and humanitarian assistance has been provided in various countries across the world. So this is another such an example.”
Operation Dost and other aids sent by India
- There are four teams working on the ground in Turkey, including two rescue teams, dog squads and two medical teams. India has also opened a field hospital in Turkey.
- India has sent teams including three rescue teams of the NDRF and two teams for medical assistance. The NDRF teams comprise dog squad, medicines, blankets, four wheelers.
- MoS, external affairs, Muraleedharan said that the Ambassador of Turkey to India called India a “true friend” as it is helping Turkey in the need of the hour. Speaking about the operation’s name, Muraleedharan said, “Turkey’s Ambassador has said that friend in the Turkish language is called ‘Dost’. He stated that the people who come forward in these critical situations are called dost. That is why the operation is called Dost.”
- Muraleedharan further said, “With regards to India’s G20 Presidency, PM Modi has given the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One World, One Family, One Future. We are implementing the message.”
- The Ambassador of Turkey to India,
Firat Sunel , termed ‘Operation Dost’ a “very important operation”. He said it demonstrates the friendship between India and Turkey. He said, “Operation Dost is a very important operation. And this is the operation of friendship because ‘dost’ is the word in Hindi and Turkish which means friends. And this operation shows our friendship between India and Turkey and friends always help each other.” - He further said, “I remember two years ago in 2021, I was exactly in this airplane and Turkey sent two aircraft loaded with Covid medical assistance. Now, after two years now we have two huge devastating earthquakes in Turkey and India is sending search and rescue teams in Turkey. So, real friends help each other if they are in need.”
- External affairs minister
S Jaishankar confirmed that India is providing materials, supplies, medical supplies, and equipment to Syria as well.