Operation Sagar Bandhu: Sri Lanka Honors India’s Swift Humanitarian Response to Cyclone Ditwah
Sri Lanka recently conferred high honors on India for its rapid humanitarian assistance during Cyclone Ditwah, conducted under Operation Sagar Bandhu. This recognition underscores India’s pivotal role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and strengthens bilateral ties amid regional disaster challenges.
Background: Cyclone Ditwah
Cyclone Ditwah, a severe cyclonic storm, struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coast in late 2025, causing widespread devastation:
- Casualties: 47 dead, hundreds injured
- Displacement: Over 1 lakh people evacuated
- Infrastructure damage: Power outages, flooded coastal areas
- Economic loss: Significant impact on fishing communities
Sri Lanka urgently appealed for international assistance, with India responding within hours.
Operation Sagar Bandhu: India’s Response
Launched immediately post-Sri Lanka’s SOS, Operation Sagar Bandhu (Friend of the Ocean) exemplifies India’s Neighborhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrines:
Assets Deployed:
| Resource | Quantity | Role |
|---|---|---|
| NDRF Teams | 3 teams (90 personnel) |
Rescue & Relief |
| Naval Ships | INS Surat + Dornier |
Aerial survey Supplies |
| Relief Material | 40 tons | Food, medicines Tents |
Timeline:
- Day 0: Cyclone landfall → India activates response
- H+6 hours: First NDRF teams land in Colombo
- H+24 hours: Ships arrive with relief material
- H+72 hours: Restoration operations commence
Sri Lanka’s Recognition
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally thanked PM Narendra Modi and awarded India the “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” (military honor) for Operation Sagar Bandhu. This gesture highlights:
- Deepened strategic trust
- India’s reliability as IOR first responder
- Contrast with other regional players
Strategic Significance for Exams
UPSC GS Paper 2 (IR & Bilateral Relations)
- Sri Lanka–India Relations:
- Maritime security cooperation
- Economic partnership (CEPA revival)
- Disaster management coordination
- Neighborhood First policy in action
UPSC GS Paper 3 (Disaster Management)
- India’s Disaster Response Framework:
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- SAGAR Doctrine (IOR leadership)
- First Responder capability
- Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR)
Prelims Relevance
Q. Which operation exemplifies India’s SAGAR doctrine?
A. Operation Sagar Bandhu
Location: Sri Lanka | Cyclone: Ditwah
Neighborhood First & SAGAR Doctrine
Operation Sagar Bandhu (previously used for Bangladesh, Myanmar) reinforces:
- SAGAR: Security & Growth for All in Region
- Neighborhood First: Proactive regional leadership
- IOR First Responder: Consistent across cyclones (Fani, Amphan, Yaas, Ditwah)
Comparative Analysis: India vs Others
| Responder | Response Time | Assets | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | H+6 hours | NDRF+Navy 40T relief |
Highest honor |
| 🇨🇳 China | 48+ hours | Symbolic aid | Limited |
| Others | Delayed | Minimal | Routine |
Exam Preparation Points
GS2 Mains:
“India’s SAGAR doctrine has positioned it as the preferred first responder in IOR. Discuss with reference to Operation Sagar Bandhu.”
Prelims MCQs:
- Operation Sagar Bandhu conducted for which country? (Sri Lanka)
- SAGAR stands for? (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
Essay Points:
- India’s soft power through HADR
- Maritime neighborhood security
- Strategic autonomy in IOR
Conclusion
Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah reaffirms India’s commitment to IOR security and humanitarian leadership. Sri Lanka’s highest military honor validates Neighborhood First as a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy.
For UPSC/State PCS aspirants, this topic links International Relations (GS2), Disaster Management (GS3), and Geography (Prelims) – a high-yield current affairs topic.
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