Jaishankar speaks to Afghan FM Muttaqi as India sends 1000 tents, 15 tonnes of food to quake-hit Afghanistan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi following a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan that has claimed over 800 lives.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar expressed condolences for the loss of lives and conveyed India’s immediate relief efforts.

“Conveyed that India has delivered 1000 family tents today in Kabul. 15 tonnes of food material is also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar. Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow,” Jaishankar wrote.

He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and reaffirmed India’s commitment to standing by Afghanistan during this difficult time.

Taliban authorities on Monday said that a large-scale rescue operation was ongoing in Afghanistan after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks struck a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people.

The 6.0-magnitude quake hit just before midnight, collapsing homes on families as they slept. Tremors were felt across a wide area, from Kabul to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that over 1.2 million people likely experienced strong or very strong shaking. At least five aftershocks were recorded throughout the night.

Widespread casualties and destruction were reported across at least five provinces, as emergency teams raced to reach the worst-hit areas.

With inputs from agencies