India, June 27 -- New Delhi

India on Friday despatched an army field hospital and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies to Venezuela to help victims of two devastating earthquakes that killed nearly 600 people and injured thousands more.

Two C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft of the Indian Ali Force (IAF) carried the urgent assistance to support Venezuela's post-earthquake relief efforts, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on social media. The Indian relief effort has been named "Operation Amistad". Amistad means friendship in Spanish, the official language of Venezuela.

The assistance sent by India includes a field hospital unit of the Indian Army and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, J...