India on Tuesday sent its first batch of earthquake relief material to Turkey, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Search and Rescue Teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machines and other necessary equipment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary Pramod Kumar Mishra held a meeting to decide the immediate relief measures to be extended to Turkey, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official statement.
Two teams of NDRF, comprising 100 personnel with trained dog squads and necessary equipment, will be flown to the earthquake-hit areas for search and rescue operations. It said that medical teams are also being readied with trained doctors, paramedics and essential medicines.
In addition, relief materials would be sent in coordination with the Turkish government and the Indian Embassy in Ankara, and the Consulate General office in Istanbul, the release added.
The second aircraft landed in Turkey later on Tuesday.
On Monday, Prime Minister Modi offered all possible support from India for the relief and rescue mission in the affected country.
Turkey's Ambassador to India, Firat Sunel, expressed his gratitude to the Indian government's offer of assistance and said that "a friend in need is indeed a friend".
Relief teams are flying from all over the world to Turkey and Syria, including from Russia, the European Union, the US, the UK, Jordan, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea, among others.