India Launches Operation Amistad, Airlifts Field Hospital and 35 Tonnes of Relief to Quake-Hit Venezuela….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India on Friday launched Operation Amistad, a major humanitarian assistance mission for earthquake-ravaged Venezuela, dispatching two Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying a fully equipped Indian Army field hospital, specialised medical personnel and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and advanced medical equipment.
The relief mission comes as Venezuela grapples with the aftermath of twin powerful earthquakes that have killed at least 235 people, injured hundreds and left widespread destruction across the country’s central coast and the capital, Caracas.
Announcing the operation, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India stood firmly with the people of Venezuela during the crisis.
“Operation Amistad underway! Two IAF C-17s took off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts. The assistance contains an Indian Army Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, including two BHISHM Cubes. India is committed to support the Government and people of Venezuela in this difficult time,” Jaishankar posted on X.
At the heart of the relief package are two BHISHM Cubes—India’s indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facilities designed for disaster and humanitarian operations. The compact units can be assembled into a fully functional field hospital capable of treating up to 200 patients, offering advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries, intensive care support and essential medical services.
Each unit is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic devices, surgical instruments, oxygen support systems and independent power generation facilities, enabling medical teams to deliver critical care even in disaster-hit areas with damaged infrastructure.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Indian Army had deployed a specialised medical contingent from the 60 Para Field Hospital to support relief operations in Venezuela.
“The medical team departed from Hindon Air Force Station on June 26 aboard two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft and is currently en route to Venezuela,” a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
The 41-member contingent includes nine medical officers and trained healthcare personnel equipped to provide emergency treatment, trauma management, life-saving surgeries and other critical medical services. The team is also carrying nearly six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The relief mission highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to rapidly respond to humanitarian emergencies across the globe despite the logistical challenge of covering nearly 14,300 kilometres between India and Venezuela. Since the C-17 Globemaster has an operational range of about 4,400 kilometres, the aircraft will make scheduled refuelling stops at friendly countries during the journey.
India’s humanitarian outreach follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of solidarity with Venezuela on Thursday, in which he expressed deep sorrow over the devastation and assured that India “stands ready to extend all possible assistance.”
Venezuela continues to battle one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history after twin shallow earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes struck just 40 seconds apart on Wednesday. The powerful tremors—the strongest to hit the South American nation in more than a century—triggered widespread building collapses, crippled power and communication networks, and caused extensive damage across Caracas and the country’s central coastal region.
Rescue teams are still racing against time to locate hundreds feared trapped beneath collapsed structures, while repeated aftershocks continue to hamper operations and raise the risk of further building failures. Authorities have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as emergency crews gain access to the worst-affected areas.
With Operation Amistad, India has joined the international humanitarian response, reinforcing its role as a first responder in global disaster relief by providing rapid medical assistance and life-saving support to a nation facing an unprecedented crisis.
