Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04NEWDELHI8267
2004-12-30 12:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

UPDATE: INDIAN FOREIGN TSUNAMI RELIEF

Tags:  PREL AEMR EAID MASS SOCI ID CE MV IN GOI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 008267 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2014
TAGS: PREL AEMR EAID MASS SOCI ID CE MV IN GOI
SUBJECT: UPDATE: INDIAN FOREIGN TSUNAMI RELIEF

REF: NEW DELHI 8228

Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 008267

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2014
TAGS: PREL AEMR EAID MASS SOCI ID CE MV IN GOI
SUBJECT: UPDATE: INDIAN FOREIGN TSUNAMI RELIEF

REF: NEW DELHI 8228

Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt. Reasons 1.4 (B,D).


1. (U) Reflecting the very positive Indian reaction to the
US initiative to create a Core Group for tsunami relief, and
New Delhi's resolve to do even more to assist India's
neighbors, on December 30 the MEA provided us with a further
update on GOI support for Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and
Indonesia.


2. (U) Sri Lanka

--The GOI has already supplied 35 tons of dry provisions,
relief and medical supplies along with communications
equipment, and several medical teams, including specialists,
who have been attending to patients. Indian aircraft have
provided airlift capability to people and supplies, while
crews have offered salvage support in clearing harbors,
divers, and search and rescue sorties.

--Four Indian Navy vessels and seven helicopters had reached
Sri Lanka by December 29. The helicopters included three
Mi-8 and four shipborne Chetaks.

--Two aircraft, one Dornier and one Islander, began operating
from Colombo on December 30.

--On December 30, the GOI airlifted 700 kilograms more of
medical supplies.

--The INS Sandhayak (reftel),after delivering its supplies,
will be converted into a hospital ship.

--Three more Indian Navy vessels, the LCU 33, the INS
Ghorpad, and the INS Kirch, are enroute to Sri Lanka with
additional supplies of fuel, rice and water. They are
expected to arrive in Trincomalee between December 30 and
January 1.

--Two IL 76 aircraft carrying military field hospitals are
scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on December 30.


3. (U) Maldives

--Three Avros and one Dornier aircraft delivered six tons of
supplies to the Maldives and are now in Male (reftel). The
Indian High Commissioner in Male has indicated that other
than specific items such as water canisters, there is no need
for further supplies.

--The INS Mysore (destroyer) and the INS Udaygiri (frigate)
are in Male. The ships have been used for transporting
people and supplies to outlying islands, damage assessment,
and search and rescue.

--The Indian Navy tanker, the INS Aditya, which is equipped
with drinking water and a water purification plant, arrived
in the Maldives on December 30. The INS Aditya also has a
helicopter.

--The four helicopters from the three ships have flown seven
sorties.


4. (U) Indonesia

--A survey ship, the INS Nirupak, is scheduled to leave
shortly for Aceh with relief supplies, medicine and tents.
Cruising time to Aceh is about 100 hours.


5. (C) In a late December 29 conversation with PolCouns, MEA
Joint Secretary (Americas) S. Jaishankar said that India
fully supports and welcomes the formation of the Core Group
for tsunami relief, but reiterated that assistance is not
needed within India. He noted that the GOI has briefed the
other Core Group members on aid New Delhi has already
provided, adding that India would like to do more, but needs
information on specific needs. Jaishankar asked that when
moving US forces into the Indian region, that PACOM recognize
that the Indian military is stretched thin, limiting the GOI
ability to provide operational support to others. He said
the GOI's foreign relief effort will be run out of the
Ministry of External Affairs, and emphasized India's
commitment to work closely with the US.
MULFORD