Turkey-Syria Earthquakes: 'Operation Dost' shows the friendship between India and Turkey: Firat Sunel

Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel has said that 'Operation Dost' is a "very important operation" and shows the friendship between the two countries.

India started 'Operation Dost'

Firat Sunel made the remarks at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force's C17 Globemaster aircraft took off for Turkey with the NDRF team, medical equipment, and relief equipment as part of the ongoing 'Operation Dost'.

India is helping Turkey

Operation Dost is a symbolic operation, he said. This already proves that we are friends. We have to deepen our relations further.

Speaking to ANI, Firat Sunil said, Operation Dost, is a very important operation. This is the operation of friendship because DOST is a word in Hindi and Turkish that means friend and this operation shows our friendship between India and Turkey and friends. help each other.

He further said I remember that two years ago in 2021, I was on the same plane and Turkey had sent two planes loaded with Covid medical aid.

Now, two years later two major devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and India is now sending search and rescue teams to Turkey because real friends help each other in times of need.

Operation friend told 'helpful'

Describing Operation Dost as "helpful", Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel said, "We will need emergency medical support as well as search and rescue operations in Turkey, especially in the first 72 hours." 'Operation Dost' involves search, rescue teams, and emergency medical aid so it is of great help.

Firat Sunel said, more than 15,000 Turkish soldiers, doctors, and foreign teams are working on the ground in Turkey. He said the death toll is around 10,000, however, rescue operations are on.

It is about 10,000, said Firat Sunel, but we are running against time and the operation is still on. Our government bodies also have a total of more than 15,000 Turkish soldiers, rescue operations, doctors, etc.

Working day and night to save people

There is also the Turkish Red Crescent and they are working there and now there are some foreign teams as well, he said. So, they are trying their best. They are working day and night to save the people.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said India stands ready to extend support to the people of Turkey affected by the earthquake.

Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan said, "Four teams are working on the ground in Turkey, including two rescue teams, dog squads, and two medical teams." He said that India has already opened a field hospital in Turkey.

Muraleedharan said India has already sent four teams including two rescue teams of NDRF and two teams for medical assistance. Today the third team of NDRF is leaving for Turkey with a dog squad, medicines, blankets, four wheelers.

India stands with Turkey

He further said India is ready to extend support to the Turkish people in this hour of grief. India has always come forward to help people around the world and humanitarian aid has been provided to various countries across the world. So this is another example.

Muraleedharan said India stands with the people of Turkey. He said India will assess the situation and provide any further assistance if required. He said that Turkish envoy Firat Sunel has called India a "true friend" as it is helping Turkey in the need of the hour.

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, India is providing material, supplies, medical supplies, and equipment to Syria as well as sending search and rescue teams to Turkey under 'Operation Dost'.

Also Read: Turkiye Earthquake: India immediately sent help to help earthquake victims, Turkey said thank you, friend