India has announced a $450 million assistance package to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from the severe devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, marking a major step in bilateral cooperation. The announcement was made on 23 December 2025 by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his visit to Colombo, where he met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. The package, provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu, includes $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in direct grants, targeting Sri Lanka’s most urgent reconstruction and resilience needs.
The phased assistance plan focuses on rebuilding critical infrastructure, restoring transport connectivity, rehabilitating destroyed homes, and supporting vital sectors such as health, education, and agriculture, which were heavily impacted by the cyclone. This approach reflects India’s longstanding commitment to swift and sustained aid for neighbouring countries affected by natural disasters.
Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s humanitarian response initiative, was launched immediately after Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in late November 2025. The cyclone brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides, causing hundreds of deaths and displacing thousands. India has since delivered more than 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including food, tents, hygiene kits, water purification equipment, and over 14 tonnes of medical supplies, while Indian security forces and disaster response teams have supported local authorities with medical care and logistics assistance.
India’s aid has also extended to infrastructure restoration, with engineers installing critical structures such as a 120-foot Bailey bridge in Kilinochchi district to reconnect communities cut off by damaged roads and bridges. Minister Jaishankar emphasized that the implementation of the assistance package would be coordinated closely with Sri Lankan officials to ensure funds are directed to priority areas, supporting sectors essential for socioeconomic stability.
Beyond immediate relief, India’s support is aimed at fostering long-term resilience and sustainable recovery, in line with its “Neighbourhood First” and “MAHASAGAR” policies, which emphasize regional cooperation and collective action during crises. The $450 million package reinforces India’s role as a key partner in Sri Lanka’s recovery, particularly as the country continues to manage economic vulnerabilities alongside climate-driven disasters.
The aid package also opens avenues for deeper cooperation in tourism, trade, and foreign direct investment, aligning short-term recovery with long-term economic collaboration. By combining financial assistance with material support, India’s approach addresses urgent humanitarian needs while laying the groundwork for enduring reconstruction and resilience.
For Sri Lanka, which is still assessing the full impact of Cyclone Ditwah, India’s significant contribution is expected to be pivotal in supporting recovery, stabilizing affected communities, and preparing the nation for future disaster challenges.
