By PTI
November 28, 2025
India delivered relief supplies to cyclone-battered Sri Lanka on November 28 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi stands ready to provide more assistance. The aid was sent under “Operation Sagar Bandhu” and transported by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline ship INS Udaigiri.
At least 56 people have been killed in Sri Lanka due to floods and landslides, and more than 43,900 people from 12,313 families have been affected, Sri Lankan authorities said.
Modi expressed condolences on social media, saying he prayed for the safety and swift recovery of affected families. He said India had urgently dispatched relief materials and humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu and stands ready to provide further aid as the situation evolves, citing India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision for engagement with the Global South. Modi had announced MAHASAGAR (Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) during a visit to Mauritius in March.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also announced the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu, noting that INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri handed over relief material at Colombo and that further steps were underway.
INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri were in Sri Lanka to participate in a three-day International Fleet Review marking the Sri Lanka Navy’s 75th anniversary, which includes participation by naval ships from several countries. Sri Lankan defence officials formally requested use of INS Vikrant’s aircraft for ongoing rescue and relief operations.
