New Delhi: India expanded its humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The mission aims to provide urgent search-and-rescue and disaster relief in cyclone-hit regions. The Indian Navy deployed four more ships — INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57 — carrying 1,000 tons of essential material.
Operation Sagar Bandhu strengthens regional relief efforts
The deployment follows earlier missions by INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya. These ships carried out relief work and heli-borne search-and-rescue operations. The three LCUs reached Colombo on the morning of 7 December 2025 and handed over critical relief stores to Sri Lankan authorities. INS Gharial will reach Trincomalee on 8 December 2025 to continue the operation.
The latest consignments aim to support affected communities quickly. Operation Sagar Bandhu also reflects India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance in the Indian Ocean Region and its close ties with Sri Lanka.
