NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, DEC 8
In a powerful display of humanitarian commitment, the Indian Navy has deployed four additional warships—INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57—to deliver 1,000 tons of essential relief material to cyclone-affected regions of Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The mission, launched to provide urgent Search & Rescue and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), reflects India’s steadfast resolve to stand by its neighbour in times of crisis.
India continues Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka, extending humanitarian assistance and essential support to communities affected by ongoing challenges.
The initiative highlights India’s commitment to regional cooperation and its “Neighbourhood First” approach.… pic.twitter.com/qWdV18hsDf
— DD India (@DDIndialive) December 8, 2025
The three LCUs arrived in Colombo on the morning of 07 December 2025, handing over vital supplies to Sri Lankan authorities. INS Gharial will reach Trincomalee on 08 December 2025 to continue the humanitarian outreach.
These deployments follow earlier relief and heli-borne SAR missions by INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya, which provided immediate succour in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone.
Carrying food, medicines, emergency shelters and essential materials, the Naval flotilla symbolises India’s compassion, solidarity and readiness to respond swiftly to regional crises. The Indian Navy said the effort underscores “the strong people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka and the Navy’s commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance to our IOR neighbours.”