India offered aid to Indonesia

India has launched "Operation Marham" (Operation Balm) under which it is rushing naval ships and Indian Air Force aircraft loaded with relief supplies and medical aid to earthquake-affected Indonesia.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have sent messages of condolence to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Though the quake hit the country early on Saturday, the Indian response was delayed as Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee was away on visits to Japan and China.

After learning that no initiative was taken by the Defence Ministry bureaucracy, Mr. Mukherjee on Sunday night directed it to immediately make preparations for despatching assistance to Indonesia. Accordingly, INS Rajput, on an overseas deployment in the South China Sea, was diverted to Jakarta. It is expected to reach there by Tuesday evening with seven tonnes of relief and medical stores and medical teams.

Another naval ship, INS Tabar, will leave the Chennai port on Tuesday with more relief. In addition, the IAF is sending a large transport aircraft with 35 tonnes of relief material, including tents, medical supplies and rice. Another large aircraft, an IL-76, will leave on Tuesday with a similar quantity of relief material.

Source: The Hindu More

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