New Delhi: Turkey is Pakistan’s megaphone in the United Nations Assembly. Immediately after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took Pakistan’s side on the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and attacked India fiercely last October. Turkish officials were personally addressed with the same tone from Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Turkish intervention in Kashmir is not necessary.
It’s an old tale. Now India has forgotten everything and has kept Turkey as a close friend. Within seconds following the earthquake, India’s medical assistance reached Syria and Turkey. The National Disaster Response Force of India and the Army’s medical team were actively involved in Turkey’s earthquake-devastated rescue efforts. Turkey expressed gratitude to India for that. Turkey’s official response was that India is Turkey’s friend.
Pakistan, Turkey’s closest ally, nevertheless entered India and created a barrier. Pakistan forbade Indian planes from using its airspace to fly to Turkey. As a result, the Indian flight altered its course and landed in Turkey.
The Search
The search for people buried under the rubble is still ongoing three days after the earthquake. Rescue operations are hampered by bad weather. Around 25 nations, including India, have sent disaster management specialists to help with the rescue operations in Turkey and Syria. Two 100-person NDRF teams arrived in Turkey as part of the Indian rescue effort known as ‘Operation Dost’ and actively participated in the rescue efforts. Two rescue teams had previously been dispatched by India to Turkey. 101 rescuers, including five women, in seven vehicles, and four police dogs had arrived. A control room has also been set up at Adana, Turkey.
India sent four C-17 cargo aircraft to Turkey, carrying 108 tonnes of aid and medical equipment. Indian aircraft have sent ventilators, portable operating rooms, trucks, ambulances, generators, and ECG machines to the devastated districts in Turkey. The Turkish and Syrian embassies have been advised by the Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan that additional assistance may be offered as needed.
Turkey thanks India
The Ambassador of Turkey, Firat Sunal, stated that India, which provided assistance during the crisis, is a close friend of theirs and that this assistance is a significant boost to the nation. The Turkish Ambassador to India also said that Turkey wanted to thank India for its support.
A C-17 Globemaster Hercules aircraft from the Air Force carried the first two 101-person Disaster Response Force units, which included women, on Tuesday. The rescue effort is being led by Commanding Officer Gurminder Singh, with assistance from units from Kolkata and Ghaziabad.
A second disaster response team quickly followed and joined the first team in Turkey. India has stated that additional personnel will be sent on the mission if necessary.
The second crew also had canines that could find victims under the rubble, cutting-edge drilling equipment, supplies including food and water, and small trucks to take the saved people to the hospital.
The location also has an Army medical team. It features amenities fit for a hospital, including 30 beds, an X-ray machine, a ventilator, oxygen tanks, and heart monitors. The decision to dispatch the rescue team was made at an emergency meeting that was called on Monday in Delhi at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The rescue operations carried out by the National Disaster Response Force in Nepal in 2015 and Japan in 2011 have won praise from all across the world. The force, which was established in 2006, launched its first overseas operation in Japan. The fourth mission is in Turkey.
Indians are safe
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs said that ten Indians stranded in Turkey are safe. However, a native of Bengaluru, who had visited Turkey for business purposes, has gone missing. According to the Government, efforts have been made to find him, and they have gotten in touch with his family and the Bengaluru company where he works.
Criticism of self-deprecating Pakistan
At three in the morning on Tuesday, an Air Force plane carrying the mission and aid supplies took off from the Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh. After Pakistan denied airspace, the plane was redirected to the Adana airport in Turkey. Pakistan has already made two attempts to prevent India from participating in an International rescue and humanitarian mission.
