According to sources, Pakistan has refused to allow Indian planes delivering rescue teams and humanitarian aid to earthquake-stricken Turkey access to its airspace. Why the Indian plane was denied access to Pakistani airspace is unknown. Official notification from the authorities has not yet been made. India deployed two aircraft, the first of which took off late on Monday night and the second of which was scheduled to take off early on Tuesday.
The initial shipment of seismic relief supplies included NDRF Search & Rescue Teams, dog teams with specialized training, medical supplies, drilling equipment, and other necessities to aid Turkey in the evacuation of citizens. “First Indian C17 flight with more than 50 @NDRFHQ. Search & Rescue personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines, and other necessary utilities & equipment reach Adana, Türkiye. The second plane getting ready for departure,” Jaishankar had on Tuesday morning.
Turkey’s Ambassador to India Firat Sunel thanked New Delhi for sending relief materials and termed India as “dost”
Earlier, Turkey’s Ambassador to India Firat Sunel thanked New Delhi for sending relief materials and termed India as “dost” (which in English means friend). “Dost” is a common word in Turkish and Hindi… We have a Turkish proverb: “Dost kara günde belli olur” (a friend in need is a friend indeed). Thank you very much, India.”
He also mentioned a conversation that took place between Turkish and Indian officials after the catastrophic earthquakes that shook Syria and the country in question. V Muraleedharan, the junior foreign minister of India, visited the Turkish embassy in New Delhi on Monday to offer condolences. He also expressed the sympathy and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the humanitarian cause.
While the search and rescue effort to locate the survivors was ongoing, the overall dead toll increased to 4,983. Local media sources indicate that 3,381 people have died in Turkey while 1,602 people have died in Syria.