India says will continue to support people of quake-hit Turkey

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said that India stands ready to extend support to the people of earthquake-hit Turkey.

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

"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 taking off for Turkey along with a dog squad, medicines, blankets, four wheelers," Muraleedharan said.

He further said, "India stands ready to extend support to the people of Turkey in this hour of grief. India has always been coming to the help of people across the world and humanitarian assistance has been provided in various countries across the world. So this is another such an example."

Muraleedharan said that India continues to stand with the people of Turkey. He said that India would assess the situation and do the needful if any further assistance is required.

"We stand with the people of Turkey and we hope that if any further assistance is required we will be assessing that and doing the needful. So the armed Forces medical team is already there," Muraleedharan said.

Speaking on PM Modi's instructions regarding the assistance provided by India, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday itself instructed all the concerned authorities to take the required steps for providing assistance to the people who have been affected in the earthquake in Turkey. He has personally expressed his anguish at the incidents. The External Affairs Minister Jaishankar have spoken to his counterparts."

(ANI)