In a major humanitarian gesture, India on Saturday delivered 442 metric tonnes of food aid to earthquake-ravaged Myanmar, as part of its ongoing relief effort under Operation Brahma. The consignment was handed over to Yangon region’s Chief Minister U Soe Thein at Thilawa Port, approximately 400 kilometres south of the quake’s epicentre.
The aid was transported via the Indian Navy’s landing ship tank INS Gharial, which departed from Visakhapatnam on April 1. The relief supplies included 405 MT of rice, 30 MT of cooking oil, 5 MT of biscuits, and 2 MT of instant noodles—designed to address the urgent food needs of communities affected by the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, claiming over 3,100 lives.
“Meeting the needs of affected people. A large 442 T consignment of food aid (rice, cooking oil, noodles & biscuits) carried by @indiannavy landing ship tank INS Gharial arrived today at Thilawa Port & was handed over by @AmbAbhayThakur to CM Yangon U Soe Thein & team. #OperationBrahma,” the Embassy of India in Yangon stated on social media platform X.
This delivery marks the latest step in India’s swift and coordinated response to the disaster, with the first tranche of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies reaching Myanmar within 24 hours of the earthquake. Operation Brahma has included Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, medical aid, and other critical disaster relief measures.
India’s response also aligns with a broader international effort, as the QUAD grouping—which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—has collectively committed over USD 20 million to support Myanmar’s earthquake response. The group has pledged not only to provide relief supplies but also to deploy emergency medical teams in the coming days.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India remains committed to standing with Myanmar in this difficult time, reinforcing the country’s role as a responsible regional partner and first responder in times of crisis.
Sources By Agencies
