PM Narendra Modi Speaks With Myanmar Military Chief; Offers Condolences Over Devastating Earthquake

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to express condolences over the tragic loss of lives in the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday.

PM Modi reassured Myanmar of India’s continued support and said that humanitarian assistance, disaster relief supplies, and search and rescue teams, rapidly mobilized as part of ‘Operation Brahma’.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Spoke with Senior General H.E. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour. Disaster relief material, humanitarian assistance, search & rescue teams are being expeditiously dispatched to the affected areas as part of #OperationBrahma.”

Soon after, India officially handed over the first shipment of relief material to Myanmar.

Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur delivered the supplies to Yangon’s Chief Minister U Soe Thein.

Confirming the handover, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted, “Operation Brahma: India hands over the relief material to Myanmar. The first consignment of relief material was formally handed over to Chief Minister of Yangon U Soe Thein by Ambassador Abhay Thakur in Yangon today.”

The Indian Air Force transported about 15 tonnes of relief items aboard a C-130J aircraft to Yangon.

The aid package includes tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food rations, hygiene essentials, power generators, and critical medicines.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also shared an update on X, saying, “#OperationBrahma gets underway. First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar.”

Meanwhile, the MEA’s XP Division stated that teams at Hindon Air Force Station are preparing two additional aircraft with more relief materials for Myanmar.

The devastating earthquake has claimed at least 1,002 lives across multiple regions in Myanmar, according to state broadcaster MRTV, as cited by CNN.

The quake prompted the country’s military leadership to request urgent international aid.

Tremors shook a wide region. They rattled remote villages in Myanmar’s conflict zones. Additionally, they swayed high-rise buildings in Bangkok. The shaking also reached China’s Yunnan province.

Data from the US Geological Survey showed at least 14 aftershocks have followed since Friday’s initial quake.

Also Read: India Delivers Aid To Myanmar After Massive Earthquake Under ‘Operation Brahma’