Indian Council of World Affairs

 

Introduction 

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) refers to the provision of material, logistical, medical, and technical support aimed at alleviating human suffering and restoring essential services in the aftermath of natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies. In recent years, HADR has evolved into an important instrument of international cooperation and foreign policy, enabling states to strengthen diplomatic engagement and regional stability.^[i] Within this evolving context, India has gradually positioned itself as a reliable first responder capable of delivering rapid humanitarian assistance to countries affected by disasters across the world. India occupies a significant position within the global landscape and is actively strengthening its capacities to respond to the growing demands of an increasingly interconnected world.^[ii] This approach also aligns with the neo-liberal orientation adopted by India in the post-1991 period, wherein foreign policy increasingly seeks to integrate humanitarian engagement with broader national interests and international partnerships.^[iii] Given India’s foundational principles, its commitment to regional stability, economic development, and broader developmental imperatives, along with its strategic geographical location, it becomes evident that India is well placed to assume a pivotal role in extending HADR at the international level.^[iv]

India’s expanding role in promoting human welfare is deeply rooted in its philosophical and civilisational principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, an ancient Sanskrit idea that translates as “the world is one family”^[v]. This principle emphasises collective well-being, humanitarian solidarity, and a shared responsibility towards humanity. Furthermore, historical interpretations of Indian political thought, particularly the concept of ‘dharma’, which signifies moral duty, reinforce a normative framework in which India’s humanitarian assistance is perceived as part of a broader ethical responsibility rather than merely a transactional instrument of foreign policy.^[vi]

In accordance with these conceptual and philosophical foundations, India has developed an institutional structure to provide HADR support to countries across the world. This framework is available in the form of the Guidelines on International HADR. These guidelines are derived from the ‘Ten-Point Agenda’ articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in 2016.^[vii] To strengthen the robustness and effectiveness of these guidelines, an extensive study of the existing HADR frameworks of the European Union, Japan, the United States, Australia, and the United Nations was undertaken.^[viii] In addition, the guidelines also adhere to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Gender Action Plan, which emphasises gender-responsive, inclusive, and equitable approaches in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance^[ix]. The document outlines seven key rationales and ten guiding principles, which together explain the significance of India’s proactive engagement in HADR.^[x]

Key guiding Principles of India’s HADR

Source: Created by Author

Rationale behind India’s HADR

Source: Created by Author

 

Furthermore, the document provides important information about the operational framework and roles of multiple stakeholders involved in HADR operations.^[xi] Within this framework, India provides five categories of disaster support, including equipment, trained personnel, financial assistance, medical and logistical supplies, and transportation support.^[xii]

 

Operational framework of India’s HADR

Source: National Disaster Management Authority 

To effectively deliver such assistance, the Government of India has designated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as the principal agency responsible for supporting countries affected by major disasters, in accordance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act of 2005.^[xiii] In fulfilling this mandate, the NDMA coordinates closely with several ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), and other relevant agencies and institutions.^[xiv] Through this multi-agency coordination mechanism, India is able to mobilise resources, deploy relief teams, and deliver humanitarian assistance efficiently during international disaster response operations.

 

Roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in HADR operations

Source: created by author

The guidelines also outline the procedures for the disengagement process, ensuring the smooth and orderly conclusion of humanitarian missions while fully respecting the sovereignty and autonomy of the host nation.^[xv] These efforts are further managed and overseen by the Development Partnership Administration (DPA) division of the Ministry of External Affairs, which plays a key role in coordinating India’s development cooperation and humanitarian assistance initiatives.^[xvi] To manage the financial aspects of HADR operations, India created a separate line item titled ‘Aid for Disaster Relief’ under the “Grants and Loans to Foreign Governments” section of the Annual Union Budget.^[xvii] Collectively, these philosophical principles, institutional arrangements, and financial mechanisms demonstrate India’s evolving commitment to developing a structured and coordinated framework for delivering HADR at the international level. 

With all these agencies and guiding frameworks, India is conducting various HADR operations around the globe. Taking some recent figures into account, India has provided assistance to over 150 countries in the last five years.^[xviii] It has provided assistance to countries across regions of the world, whether it is Latin America, West Asia, South Asia, Africa, or Europe.^[xix] Between 2000 and 2024, India has conducted around 30 different HADR operations in various countries around the globe.^[xx] The nature of India’s humanitarian engagement around the world is also guided primarily by the needs of affected populations rather than narrow political considerations, reflecting a broader emphasis on a people-centric approach.  A notable example of this approach was visible during the 2023 conflict in Sudan, when intense fighting between military factions triggered a severe humanitarian emergency.^[xxi] Despite the unstable political situation, India extended humanitarian assistance by dispatching 23 tonnes of medical supplies and relief material to support the affected population.^[xxii] Similarly, during the Syrian civil war, when the country was undergoing a severe political crisis, India provided around 2,000 metric tonnes of rice as humanitarian assistance to strengthen food security for affected communities.^[xxiii] Collectively, initiatives like these demonstrate that India’s humanitarian engagement remains fundamentally driven by the objective of protecting human lives and addressing urgent humanitarian needs. India’s people-centric approach has also been evident in its global vaccine assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under its initiative ‘Vaccine Maitri’, India supplied over 52 million doses of Covaxin and total medical supplies valued at approximately $3.2 million to around 101 countries.^[xxiv]

While India’s humanitarian outreach extends across multiple regions and countries of the world, its immediate neighbourhood remains the primary arena of its HADR engagement which also resonates with its Neighbourhood First policy. India’s neighbourhood is one of the most vulnerable regions due to its dense population, fragile ecosystems, and high exposure to climate-induced hazards.^[xxv] Since 1970, the number of disasters in the region has increased to five times, with an estimated direct loss amounting to more than $806 billion.^[xxvi] The region is also the most exposed in the world to flooding and the second-most exposed to cyclones, and it experiences most of its disaster fatalities due to earthquakes.^[xxvii] Beyond its disaster vulnerability, India’s neighbourhood carries profound geopolitical and security significance for New Delhi. The region collectively hosts over 1.66 billion people, representing nearly one-fourth of the global population, and developments in neighbouring states often have direct spillover effects on India’s internal security, migration patterns, and economic stability.^[xxviii] Humanitarian crises in neighbouring countries can quickly translate into refugee flows, cross-border security concerns, and disruptions to trade and connectivity, making regional stability a core national interest for India^[xxix]. At the same time, South Asia and the Indian Ocean region have increasingly become arenas of strategic competition among major powers, particularly with the growing economic and infrastructural presence of external actors such as China.^[xxx] In this broader strategic context, India’s regional engagement is also guided by initiatives such as the Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen economic connectivity and strategic partnerships with Southeast Asia through neighbouring countries like Myanmar. Furthermore, India’s maritime humanitarian and security engagement is shaped by its vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and its expanded framework MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), which emphasise cooperative maritime security, regional development, and coordinated disaster response across the Indian Ocean region. Given these overlapping humanitarian, security, and geopolitical considerations, it is unsurprising that more than two-thirds of India’s total HADR has been directed to its neighbourhood.^[xxxi]

In this context, this paper focuses on India’s role as a first responder in its neighbourhood over the period of time.

Nepal

India has consistently played an active role in providing humanitarian assistance to Nepal, particularly during major natural disasters that have affected the Himalayan region.

One of the most significant instances of such cooperation was witnessed when Nepal was hit by a severe 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Kathmandu city on 25 April 2015, which killed 9,000 and displaced 2.8 million people.^[xxxii] India launched ‘Operation Maitri’ and deployed medical and technical assistance teams.^[xxxiii] The Indian Air Force helped the Nepalese Army troops to provide relief materials in accessible areas.^[xxxiv] The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also came forward and sent a team of 13 doctors led by a Padma Shree Awardee doctor, and later on, in collaboration with the Heart Foundation and Udyog Development Foundation, it delivered medicines worth Rs. 42 Lakhs.^[xxxv] Operation Maitri concluded on 4 June 2015, during which India flew 2223 sorties, evacuated about 11,200 people, distributed 1700 tonnes of relief material, and medically assisted more than 12,000 people.^[xxxvi] Due to its large scale, Operation Maitri was considered the largest-ever relief operation undertaken by India on foreign soil. Nepal publicly expressed its gratitude to India for launching such a large-scale rescue mission and noted that India had shown exceptional support and kindness during the crisis.^[xxxvii] 

Operation Maitri

Medical Assistance   ➔   18 medical teams   ➔   3 field hospitals

Technical Support   ➔   10 Engineer Task Force

Relief Material   ➔   10,000 blankets   ➔   1,000 tents   ➔   1,000 tarpaulin sheets

Source:  Prepared by author

Following the relief phase, India has also extended financial assistance of $1 billion to Nepal, which helped in the reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Nepal’s Gorkha and Nuwakot districts.^[xxxviii]

Similar efforts were made by India to help out Nepal after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, India dispatched 23 tonnes of medicines, including hydroxychlorine and paracetamol.^[xxxix] Later on, in early 2021, for the safety of Nepal’s healthcare workers and its people, India sent one million doses of made-in-India vaccines.^[xl] Then, from June 2021 to support Nepal’s healthcare sector, India delivered ventilators, ICU beds, and PPE kits worth Rs. 28.80 crores.^[xli] 

India’s COVID-19 assistance for Nepal

Date	Details
22 April 2020	3.2 Lakhs doses of Paracetamol   2.5 Lakhs doses of Hydroxychlorine
March 2021	1 Lakh doses of Covidshield
21 January 2021	1 Million doses of Covidshield
11 June 2021	Ventilators ICU beds Ambulance PPE kits

Source:  Prepared by author

Recently, in November 2023, Nepal's Jajarkot and West Rukum districts were hit by a 6.4 earthquake, which caused 153 deaths, over 300 injuries, and left nearly 2,00,000 people displaced.^[xlii] India acted swiftly as a first responder by sending multiple emergency relief consignments.^[xliii] The first consignment of 11 tonnes of essential supplies, which valued approximately Rs 160 million, was dispatched to Nepalgunj (Nepal) by India on 5 November 2023, via a special Indian Air Force C-130.^[xliv] As the operation expanded, India sent three more consignments and, in total, delivered more than 33 tonnes of vital support material from 5 November 2023 to 21 November 2023.^[xlv] 

India’s HADR consignments to Nepal in 2023

Consignment	Date of consignment delivery	Consignment details
First	5 November 2023	11 Tonnes (small tents, big tents, sleeping bags, blankets)
Second	7 November 2023	9 Tonnes (more tents and sleeping bags)
Third	9 November 2023	12 Tonnes (portable ventilators and hygiene supplies)
Fourth	21 November 2023	Vital medicines and equipments

Source: Prepared by the author using multiple sources

 

India delivering HADR assistance to Nepal during 2023 earthquake
Source: Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal^[xlvi]

Before the natural disaster struck, it was already dealing with a significant economic shock after the COVID-19 pandemic and constrained fiscal space for disaster response.^[xlvii] Therefore, India’s extended humanitarian engagement beyond immediate relief was appreciated by Nepal.^[xlviii] In January 2024, during the Foreign Minister of India’s visit to Nepal, India announced a financial package of approximately NPR 1000 crores, which consisted of 200 fabricated houses, 1200 blankets, 150 tents, and 2000 sleeping bags.^[xlix]

From a geopolitical point of view, Nepal occupies a sensitive geographical position between India and China. In this context, India’s HADR to Nepal strengthened its goodwill.^[l]

Myanmar

India’s HADR engagements with Myanmar reflect rapid mobilisation for sudden-onset disasters followed by targeted health and relief support.

One such instance occurred when Cyclone ‘Nargis’ struck Myanmar on 3 May 2008, with winds up to 200 km/h, and severely affecting 2.4 million people.^[li] India moved quickly and launched ‘Operation Sahayata’ to deliver supplies of relief and essential material via Indian Navy ships.^[lii] India also deployed two medical teams for more than 2 weeks, who treated around 1,500 sick people a day.^[liii] To extend its support beyond short-term relief to social recovery, India extended cash assistance^[liv] and supplied corrugated steel sheets and solar torches to support large-scale reconstruction and basic lighting in affected areas.^[lv] Later, in 2010, in a joint statement, Myanmar expressed appreciation for India’s relief and rehabilitation efforts during Cyclone ‘Nargis’, and both countries emphasised further cooperation.^[lvi] 

Operation Sahayata

Medical Support   ➔   Two teams of 47 doctors with support staff   ➔   1.8 lakh bottles of I.V. and other medical supplies

Reconstruction Assistance   ➔   $2,00,000 for the reconstruction of the Shwedagon Pagoda Complex, which is preserving relics of hair of Gautam Buddha   ➔   1020 tonnes of corrugated steel for roofing   ➔   500 solar torches and lanterns   ➔   Transformers

Relief Material Supply   ➔   Food grains   ➔   Tents

Source: Prepared by the author

India’s first responder posture for Myanmar appeared again in August 2015 during Cyclone ‘Komen’, which triggered floods in 12 regions of Myanmar.^[lvii] At an official request of the Myanmar government, India delivered rice and medicines via the Indian Air Force to the affected areas of Myanmar, which are hard to reach, such as Kaly and Mandalay.^[lviii]

In 2017, India responded to two distinct humanitarian emergencies in Myanmar. First, India responded to the influenza outbreak by supplying20,000 N-95 masks, vaccine doses, and other medical supplies.^[lix] Second, when Cyclone ‘Mora’ struck western Myanmar, it dispatched tonnes of clothes, tents, and rehabilitation supplies.^[lx]

India again extended support in 2020 when Myanmar faced humanitarian stress from internal displacement and provided over 20,000 kits of food items and tarpaulin tents for displaced persons in Rakhine state.^[lxi]

Indian official handing over medical supplies to Myanmar in 2020
Source: Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar^[lxii]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s humanitarian assistance to Myanmar shifted from disaster logistics to health emergency support. India dispatched medical supplies,^[lxiii] COVID vaccines,^[lxiv] and food supplies^[lxv] to help Myanmar in fighting the pandemic. 

India’s COVID-19 assistance to Myanmar

Date	Details
5 May 2020	2,00,000 units of medical supplies
22 January 2021	1.5 million doses of Covidshield
30 March 2020	10, 000 tonnes of rice 200 tonnes of wheat

Source:  Prepared by the author

After the COVID-19 pandemic, when cyclone ‘Mocha’ struck the country on 15 May 2023,^[lxvi] it affected approximately 1.2 million people in all seven districts of Rakhine State and damaged more than 2,00,000 buildings.^[lxvii] India initiated ‘Operation Karuna’ on 18 May 2023, and delivered around 40 tonnes of relief material on the very first day via four Indian Navy ships.^[lxviii] Additionally, medicines and medical items were airlifted on the next day for distribution in the Rakhine state.^[lxix]

In response to flash floods caused by Typhoon Yagi in early September 2024, which killed more than 433 people and damaged 10,17,285 buildings in 8 regions of Myanmar,^[lxx] India launched ‘Operation Sadbhav’ on 17 September 2024. India delivered 53 tonnes of emergency flood relief material worth $1 million by the Indian Air Force within 2 days after flash floods hit Bago, Kayah, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Nay Pyi Taw, and Rakhine areas of Myanmar.^[lxxi]

The most comprehensive and recent effort of India’s HADR assistance in Myanmar took place when an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit Myanmar on 28 March 2025, which was followed by another 6.4 magnitude earthquake as an aftershock.^[lxxii] At least 3,700 individuals lost their lives, 4800 sustained injuries, and 129 were reported missing, as a result of both earthquakes.^[lxxiii] Taking account of this, India launched ‘Operation Brahma’ on 29 March 2025 and immediately sent six aircraft and five naval ships carrying relief material.^[lxxiv]

India also deployed a team of NDRF rescuers with advanced rescue equipment,^[lxxv] and an Indian Army field hospital team was sent to set up a 200-bed field hospital in Mandalay^[lxxvi] to assist in the rescue and medical operations. The Indian army field hospital and medical team proved to be very helpful for Myanmar as it carried out multiple surgeries and treated around 2519 patients.^[lxxvii] 

Indian medical teams treating injured survivors inside a field hospital under ‘Operation Brahma’
Source: The Hindu^[lxxviii]

Extending its support under ‘Operation Brahma’, India later on assisted Myanmar in post-earthquake recovery as well. India sent an army engineer team along with reconstruction material, which helped Myanmar to rebuild its damaged Mandalay-Napyitaw bridge and the historical Old Ava railway bridge^[lxxix]. India received public acknowledgement at the local level by the residents of the earthquake-affected areas for dispatching its rescue teams and relief supplies.^[lxxx] 

 “Operation Brahma”

Date	Details of assistance
29 March 2025	734 tonnes of tents, blankets, food, etc.
30  March 2025	5 tonnes of HADR material   A team of 80 NDRF personnel with 17 tonnes of protective and rescue equipment   118 members Indian Army field hospital with 60 tonnes of surgical and medical supplies
1st April, 2025	70 tonnes of essential clothing, drinking water, noodles, etc.   884 MT of rice, cooking oil, biscuits, etc.
6th April, 2025	Six-member Indian Army engineer team with 20 fabricated units and 250 MT of cement

Source: Prepared by author

India’s humanitarian response in Myanmar in the last three years took place amidst a prolonged political crisis. Since February 2021, after the Myanmar military takeover of administration, Myanmar has experienced intense political instability and civil conflict, which has weakened governance and undermined the state's capacity to manage crises effectively.^[lxxxi] The country’s economic performance has also been weak as inflation, poverty, and economic decline have remained persistent after 2021.^[lxxxii]

In this context, India’s sustained humanitarian engagement with Myanmar served multiple purposes. It helped India in maintaining functional channels of cooperation and mitigated potential spillovers such as refugee flows across its North-Eastern region and instability.^[lxxxiii]

Sri Lanka

India’s humanitarian engagement with Sri Lanka has spanned over decades and reflects the depth of bilateral ties between the two nations. One of the earliest and most notable examples of humanitarian engagement occurred in June 1987, when India launched ‘Operation Poomalai’ and airdropped 25 tonnes of food supplies and essentials into Jaffna during heightened conflict.^[lxxxiv] 

India’s humanitarian engagement with Sri Lanka became more disaster-response oriented during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which killed around 35000 people.^[lxxxv] Although India was itself affected by the Tsunami, it stood by Sri Lanka and extended its support. It launched “Operation Rainbow” and provided ships, medical support, financial assistance, and connectivity support to Sri Lanka.^[lxxxvi] Sri Lanka expressed its profound gratitude for India’s spontaneous response in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, noting that such timely support played a crucial role in restoring normalcy in the lives of affected communities and in rebuilding the devastated coastal regions.^[lxxxvii] 

Operation Rainbow

Operation Rainbow	Connectivity Support	Financial Assistance
➔   Deployment of 14 Indian Navy ships and Coast Guard ships at Trincomalee and Gale.   ➔   Indian Army’s Field Ambulance provided vaccination and clean drinking water.	➔   Assisted in the reconstruction of a 350-foot Bailey bridge in Arugam Bay.   ➔   $167.4 million concessional LOC for reconstruction of Colombo-Matara rail link.	➔   Rs. 100 crore grant for relief and reconstruction projects.   ➔   Halt on debt repayments for the next 3 years.

Source: Prepared by the author

While India’s earlier humanitarian engagement with Sri Lanka had largely been shaped by natural disasters and climate-related emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a new phase. During the COVID pandemic, India provided tonnes of medicines, millions of COVID vaccines, and other essential medical supplies to Sri Lanka.^[lxxxviii] These early efforts of India helped Sri Lanka in safeguarding its 1,50, 000 health workers and 1,15, 000 military and police personnel.^[lxxxix] 

India’s Assistance to Sri Lanka during COVID-19

Date	Details
May, 2021	25 Tonnes of essential medicines
January, 2021	5,00,000 doses of Covidshield   5,00,000 doses of AstraZeneca
August, 2021	Assisted in the transportation of 140 MT of liquid medical oxygen   Deployed the Naval ship ‘Gharial’ for fast-track delivery of essential supplies
November, 2021	100 tonnes of high-quality nitrogen fertilisers

Source:  Prepared by the author

India's most recent and high-intensity HADR assistance in Sri Lanka occurred during cyclone ‘Ditwah’, which hit Sri Lanka's eastern coast on 28 November 2025, triggering severe flooding and disruption across the nation. It affected 1.4 million people in 25 districts of Sri Lanka.^[xc] India responded quickly and launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ on the very same day and sent emergency rations and relief materials like tents, blankets, and BHISHM modular trauma cubes with the help of its Air Force and Navy.^[xci] The Indian Air Force also conducted rescue operations to airlift pregnant women, infants, and those critically injured in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Air Force.^[xcii] For on-ground help, India sent a medical team, which conducted on-site training and an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, which assisted in the ground rescue efforts.^[xciii]

As the operation expanded from immediate relief to early recovery, the Indian Air Force airlifted a modular army field hospital along with mobile water purification units in December 2025 to meet urgent medical needs and drinking water shortages.^[xciv] India then facilitated the sealift of dry rations and other relief material on 6 December 2025, provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu using 3 naval landing craft utility ships.^[xcv]

Operation Sagar Bandhu

Date	Details of support
28 November 2025	9.5 tonnes of emergency dry ration
29 November 2025	27 tonnes of tents, tarpaulins, kits, etc   Two BHISHM Modular Trauma Cubes   4 tonnes of essential medical items   A Arogya Maitri team of Trauma specialist   2 specialized urban search and rescue teams
1 December 2025	Additional 12 tonnes of relief material
2 December 2025	A modular Indian Army field hospital with 73 support personnel   500 mobile water purification units
6 December 2025	997 tonnes of dry ration and other material from Tamil Nadu Government

Source: Prepared by the author

The quick response by India helped in providing support and treatment to 3388 people^[xcvi] and restored connectivity in some of the worst-affected areas in Sri Lanka, such as the Kilinochchi district, by setting up 4 Bailey Bridges.^[xcvii] The NDRF team from India also rescued 450 persons^[xcviii].  For the quick deployment of rescue teams and urgent relief supplies, India also received strong appreciation from Sri Lanka’s political leadership, public representatives, and affected residents.^[xcix] 

Bailey Bridge built by the Indian army in Sri Lanka
Source: NewsonAir^[c]

India’s efforts came at a time when Sri Lanka was experiencing strain on its governance and public delivery systems due to the ongoing economic recovery process following the economic crisis of 2020^[ci]. In this backdrop, India's timely intervention not only addressed immediate humanitarian needs but also supported the present administration’s efforts during this sensitive phase of national recovery.

India’s help also consolidated political trust and strategic goodwill in a geostrategically significant maritime neighbourhood. Sri Lanka also received aid from multiple external actors like Japan, the US, China, the UAE, and Pakistan to overcome the crisis.^[cii] It reflected how disaster response increasingly intersects with regional diplomacy and influence. In this scenario, India’s humanitarian assistance also acquires a broader strategic dimension within the Indian Ocean region.

Sri Lanka occupies a pivotal position along the major sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean, through which a significant portion of global trade and energy shipments transit.^[ciii] For India, Sri Lanka's location, just 30 kilometres from its southern coast across the Palk Strait, gives it considerable strategic importance for maritime security and regional stability.^[civ] Moreover, the growing presence of external powers, particularly China, has heightened geopolitical competition in the region.^[cv] In this context, India’s humanitarian engagement with Sri Lanka not only addresses immediate disaster needs but also reinforces its role as a responsible regional security provider while safeguarding its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.

 

NDRF team from India in action during cyclone ‘Ditwah’ in Sri Lanka
Source: The Hindu^[cvi]

Afghanistan

The India-Afghanistan HADR cooperation shows how India tried to sustain its humanitarian assistance even amidst political uncertainty in Afghanistan by routing relief through UN agencies. One such instance was visible during the fall of the government in Afghanistan in August, 2021. India launched ‘Operation Dev Shakti’ on 11 December 2021, and dispatched humanitarian consignments.^[cvii] Under this operation, India also evacuated 699 people, including Indians and Afghans, along with 2 Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib and some ancient Hindu manuscripts.^[cviii]

Afghani citizens arriving at Hindon Air Force Station, Gaziabad
Source: India Today^[cix]

India then used the United Nations (UN), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) channels to help out Afghanistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. India delivered food supplies, medicines, COVID vaccines, and clothes for Afghanistan and dispatched polio and COVID vaccines for Afghan refugees in Iran.^[cx] Afghanistan praised India’s efforts and described the assistance as a clear sign of ‘generosity and commitment’ towards the strong partnership between the two countries.^[cxi] 

India’s Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan during COVID-19

Food Supplies   ➔   2000 MT wheat (via WFP)

Medicines   ➔   More than 13 tonnes of essential medicines for Afghan people and Afghan refugees in Iran

Vaccines   ➔   5,00,000 doses for Afghan people   ➔   1 million doses for Afghan refugees in Iran   ➔   60 million doses for polio vaccine for Afghan refugees in Iran

Source: Prepared by the author

In recent times, to further extend its steadfast support for the people of Afghanistan and to address the country’s urgent healthcare needs, India sent 73 tonnes of medicines, vaccines and essential supplements in November 2025.^[cxii]

Collectively, these initiatives illustrate that India’s humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan remained focused on the welfare of the Afghan people rather than the political dynamics of the governing regime. By prioritising humanitarian needs and working through international organisations when direct engagement was constrained, India demonstrated a people-centric approach to HADR that places human security and humanitarian responsibility above geopolitical considerations.

Pakistan

India’s humanitarian assistance to Pakistan can be best understood as crisis-specific, carefully calibrated and often routed through multilateral or agreed channels. Which was clearly seen after the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) flood of 8 March 2005. India sent a train to Lahore on 14 October 2005, carrying blankets, tents and plastic sheets along with Indian armed personnel for assistance.^[cxiii] India expanded its relief flow in the upcoming months and sent about an additional 1,300 tonnes of relief consignments which included medical equipment, medicines and snow sleeping bags.^[cxiv]

A second major instance was witnessed in 2010 amid the worst flood across Pakistan that killed around 1700 people and affected 14-20 million people in total.^[cxv] In August 2010, India offered to provide assistance of $25 million via WFP and UN channels to Pakistan.^[cxvi] Pakistan welcomed India’s aid and described it as a “goodwill gesture”^[cxvii].

These instances demonstrate that India’s humanitarian responses have often prioritised the welfare of affected populations even in contexts marked by political tensions. By extending assistance to Pakistan during humanitarian crises, India showcased its people-centric approach to HADR that seeks to alleviate human suffering irrespective of political differences.

Bangladesh

India’s HADR engagement with Bangladesh represents a cooperative environment. The first major example of this came after Cyclone ‘Sidr’ hit Bangladesh in November 2007. Taking account of this, India dispatched a relief package,^[cxviii] cash assistance, food supplies and first aid material.^[cxix] Later on, in 2011, India also assisted in the construction of shelters for cyclone-affected families.^[cxx] 

India’s Assistance to Bangladesh during Cyclone Sidr

Financial Assistance   ➔   $10 million cash assistance

Essential Supplies   ➔   Essential supplies of worth more than $40 million   ➔   5,00,000 tonnes of rice after waiving export restrictions

Post-Cyclone Reconstruction Support   ➔   Assisted in the reconstruction of shelters worth Rs. 2500 crores

Source: Prepared by author

A decade later in 2017, when Bangladesh struggled to manage the Rohingya refugee influx, India again came forward and airlifted 55 tonnes of relief material on 14 September 2017 to Chittagong under its ‘Operation Insaniyat’^[cxxi] India put similar efforts during COVID-19 and provided medicines, medical items^[cxxii] and doses of COVID vaccine to Bangladesh.^[cxxiii] 

India’s Assistance to Bangladesh during COVID-19

Year/Date	Details
2020	30,000 surgical masks   15,000 head covers   50,000 sterile surgical gloves   1,00,000 HCQ tablets   RT-PCR test kits   Oxygen plants   Concentrators
27  March 2021	1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine

Source: Prepared by the author

Beyond humanitarian cooperation, Bangladesh holds significant strategic importance for India. It is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade witnessing rapid growth in recent years.^[cxxiv] Additionally, security cooperation forms a key pillar of India–Bangladesh relations, as India views Bangladesh as a crucial partner in maintaining stability and addressing security challenges in its geographically sensitive northeastern states.^[cxxv] Given this economic and strategic interdependence, India’s humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh also reinforces broader regional cooperation and stability in South Asia.

Bhutan

India’s crisis response cooperation with Bhutan represents the most institutionalised and trust-based partnership where humanitarian assistance is embedded in routine inter-governmental coordination and civil-military cooperation.

The most sustained example of this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein India sent COVID vaccines^[cxxvi] and medical aid consignments and extended Project Tied Assistance (PTA) and financial packages^[cxxvii] to help Bhutan’s public health system. Bhutan expressed gratitude for India's efforts during COVID-19, and later in the United Nations, it considered India a force for good in the neighbourhood which is working towards improving the well-being of the region.^[cxxviii] 

India’s Assistance to Bhutan during COVID-19

Year	Details
2021	12 consignments of medical aid worth INR 6.47 crore   INR 501 crores of development assistance to help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic   1.5 lakhs doses of COVIDSHIELD
2022	Medical aid worth INR 2.40 crore   Project Tied Assistance (PTA) of medical infrastructure projects

Source: Prepared by author

India’s role as a humanitarian responder in Bhutan was visible again during severe flooding in southern Bhutan in October 2025, which was triggered by heavy rainfall and overtopping of Tala Dam on Wangchhu River.^[cxxix] Although no casualties in Bhutan were reported due to the floods, but when floods entered North Bengal in India, it killed 32 people, including two Bhutanese citizens, and displaced nearly 9,500 people.^[cxxx] Acting on an urgent request from the Royal Bhutan Army, on 5 October 2025, the Indian Army deployed its two helicopters for an aerial reconnaissance and evacuation mission and for ensured immediate medical care.^[cxxxi] Later on, the Royal Government of Bhutan came forward and extended gratitude and acknowledgement to the Indian Army’s efforts of timely and life-saving assistance.^[cxxxii] 

Indian Air force carrying out a rescue operation during the 2025 Bhutan floods
Source: News On Air^[cxxxiii]

India’s responses to Bhutan during disasters and pandemics carried a deeper strategic significance. Bhutan’s geographic location and its proximity to the strategically sensitive Doklam plateau make its stability central to India’s Himalayan security calculus.^[cxxxiv] The two countries are also economically interdependent through hydropower cooperation, with India being the largest investor and importer of Bhutanese hydroelectric power, making the protection of Bhutan’s infrastructure strategically relevant.^[cxxxv] Against the backdrop of continuing China-Bhutan border negotiations^[cxxxvi] and wider regional strategic competition, India’s sustained humanitarian engagement also reinforced its role as Bhutan’s foremost security and development partner.

Maldives

India’s disaster assistance interventions in the Maldives highlight proximity and rapid mobilisation, which has positioned India as the Maldives’ first responder in sudden onset.

India’s first major disaster assistance role for the Maldives in the contemporary period was during the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, which affected nearly one-third of the population of Maldives.^[cxxxvii] India sent three naval ships and two helicopters carrying water purification units, medical supplies and relief materials on 27 December 2004, under ‘Operation Cator’.^[cxxxviii]

India delivering relief material to Maldives under Operation Castor
Source: The Global Indian^[cxxxix]

Another high-impact humanitarian intervention of India for the Maldives came during the Malé water crisis of December 2014. After receiving an official request from the Maldives, India launched ‘Operation Neer’ and delivered around 2300 tonnes of drinking water by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.^[cxl]

During COVID-19, India’s assistance for the Maldives included 1,00,000 doses of COVIDSHIELD and financial assistance of USD 250 million for budget support.^[cxli] Later on, in February 2021, in a joint press statement, the Maldives thanked India for its various kinds of support during COVID-19 and especially acknowledged the financial assistance.^[cxlii]

India's HADR interventions in the Maldives, while genuinely humanitarian, are also embedded in its broader strategic calculus in the Indian Ocean region. The Maldives is strategically located almost like a ‘toll gate’ between the western Indian Ocean chokepoints of the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz and the eastern chokepoint of the Strait of Malacca.^[cxliii] Consequently, the international sea lanes (ISLs) around the Maldives carry immense importance for global maritime trade and are particularly vital for India, as around 50 percent of India’s external trade and nearly 80 percent of its energy imports transit through these sea lanes.^[cxliv] Given this strategic geography, maintaining stability and strong cooperation with the Maldives remains crucial for safeguarding India’s economic and security interests in the Indian Ocean region.

Conclusion

India’s sustained record of HADR operations in its immediate neighbourhood is not ad hoc but reflects a deliberate strategic orientation embedded in its regional policy framework, especially the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and ‘Act East Policy’, which explicitly prioritise rapid crisis response and development partnership^[cxlv] and emphasise stability, connectivity and cooperative security rather than purely strategic and military ties with the neighbourhood.^[cxlvi] At the maritime level, India’s SAGAR doctrine and the more recent MAHASAGAR vision explicitly define security in the Indian Ocean region in terms of human security, disaster resilience and regional stability, and naval power.^[cxlvii]

For India, HADR operations are repeatedly framed as both a moral responsibility and a function of geography and capability, arguing that geographical proximity makes India the most natural first responder in South Asia and the Indian Ocean.^[cxlviii] India’s HADR outreach is framed not as transactional diplomacy but as a neighbourhood responsibility repeatedly linked to the civilisational ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and to the idea of India as a net provider of HADR in the region.^[cxlix]

Importantly, the HADR operations conducted so far in the neighbourhood are shaped by faith in humanitarian diplomacy in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the area, where internal political shifts, development challenges, climate vulnerabilities, and regional power competition have profound effects on bilateral dynamics. India’s calibrated use of HADR thus not only addresses immediate needs but also reinforces a normative framework that prioritises collaborative resilience, regional integration, and shared security imperatives without encroaching on sovereignty or appearing interventionist.

*****

*Sachin Yadav , Research Intern, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. 

Endnotes 

^[i] Levaillant, Mélissa. “Aiding Competition: The Geopolitics of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in the Indo-Pacific.” European Council on Foreign Relations, March 13, 2024. https://ecfr.eu/article/aiding-competition-the-geopolitics-of-humanitarian-aid-and-disaster-relief-in-the-indo-pacific/.

^[ii] Ibid.

^[iii] Singh Parmar, Sarabjeet . “Humanitarian Assistance and DisasterRelief (HADR) in India’sNational Strategy.” Journal of Defence Studies 6, no. 1 (January 2012). https://idsa.in/system/files/jds_6_1_SarabjeetParmar.pdf.

^[iv] Ibid.

^[v] Pal Singh Sidhu, Waheguru. “‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ for the 21st Century.” Brookings, May 22, 2017. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-for-the-21st-century__trashed/.

^[vi] Kumar, Sujeet. “Bharat Adopts Dharma-Based Diplomacy.” Organiser, August 13, 2025. https://organiser.org/2025/08/13/307924/bharat/bharat-adopts-dharma-based-diplomacy/.

^[vii] Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. “Prime Minister’s Ten-Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction,” 2016. https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annexure%20II%20details%20of%20ten%20point%20agenda.pdf.

^[viii] National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India. “Guidelines on International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief,” October 2024. https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Guidelines/HADR_Guideline_Oct_2024.pdf.

^[ix] Ibid.

^[x] Ibid.

^[xi] Ibid.

^[xii] Ibid.

^[xiii] Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. “The Disaster Management Act, 2005,” 2005. https://ndmindia.mha.gov.in/ndmi/images/The%20Disaster%20Management%20Act.

^[xiv] National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India. “Guidelines on International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief,” October 2024. https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Guidelines/HADR_Guideline_Oct_2024.pdf.

^[xv] Ibid.

^[xvi]  Saneet Chakradeo. “Neighbourhood First Responder: India’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief.” CSEP - Centre for Social and Economic Progress, August 18, 2020. https://csep.org/policy-brief/neighbourhood-first-responder-indias-humanitarian-assistance-and-disaster-relief/.

^[xvii]Ibid.

^[xviii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Question No-2324 Relief and Medical Assistance to Other Nations,” March 20, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/rajya-sabha.htm?dtl%2F39214%2FQUESTION+NO2324+RELIEF+AND+MEDICAL+ASSISTANCE+TO+OTHER+NATIONS.

^[xix] Ibid.

^[xx] Nainar, Ammar. “India’s Foreign Assistance: Trends, Processes, and Priorities.” ORF America, May 28, 2024. https://orfamerica.org/newresearch/india-foreign-assistance-priorities.

^[xxi] Booty, Natasha, Farouk Chothia, and Wedaeli Chibelushi. “Sudan War: A Simple Guide to What Is Happening.” BBC, November 13, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjel2nn22z9o.

^[xxii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Details of Humanitarian Assistance Provided by India over the Last 5 Years,” n.d. https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/2324-20-03-2025-en-1.pdf.

^[xxiii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India Delivers Humanitarian Assistance to Syria,” February 12, 2021. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33519/India+delivers+humanitarian+assistance+to+Syria.

^[xxiv] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Vaccine Maitri,” June 15, 2023. https://www.mea.gov.in/vaccine-maitri.htm.

^[xxv] United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. “The Disaster Riskscape across South and South West Asia,” 2019. https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/IDD-APDR-Subreport-SSWA.pdf#page=2.84.

^[xxvi]  Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Unit, the World Bank Group. “Disaster Risk Management in South Asia: A Regional Overview,” December 2012. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/648281468170977802/pdf/763020WP0P11400Box0379791B00PUBLIC0.pdf.

^[xxvii] Ibid.

^[xxviii] The World Bank Group. “Population, Total - South Asia,” 2024. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=8S.

^[xxix] Amey Velangi. “India’s Unstable Neighbourhood and Its Impact on the Indian Economy.” Geojuristoday, August 5, 2024. https://www.geojuristoday.in/post/india-s-unstable-neighbourhood-and-its-impact-on-the-indian-economy.

^[xxx] World Geostrategic Insights. “The Shifting Sands: South Asia’s Evolving Geopolitical Landscape,” August 29, 2025. https://www.wgi.world/the-shifting-sands-south-asias-evolving-geopolitical-landscape/.

^[xxxi]  Saneet Chakradeo. “Neighbourhood First Responder: India’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief.” CSEP - Centre for Social and Economic Progress, August 18, 2020. https://csep.org/policy-brief/neighbourhood-first-responder-indias-humanitarian-assistance-and-disaster-relief/.

^[xxxii] NDTV. “A Look Back at the 2015 Nepal Earthquake When 9,000 People Died,” March 5, 2026. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/2015-nepal-earthquake-when-9-000-people-died-in-one-of-worlds-worst-disasters-11139720.

^[xxxiii] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Army Launches Operation Maitri,” April 26, 2015. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=118739.

^[xxxiv] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Indian Armed Forces Wind up Their Biggest Relief and Rescue Operations Abroad Ever,” June 5, 2015. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=122332.

^[xxxv] Indian Medical Association. “IMA Relief Efforts for Nepal Earthquake Victims,” 2015. https://www.ima-india.org/ima/free-way-page.php?pid=309.

^[xxxvi] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Indian Armed Forces Wind up Their Biggest Relief and Rescue Operations Abroad Ever,” June 5, 2015. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=122332.

^[xxxvii] NDTV. “Nepal Ambassador Thanks Indian Government for Help after Earthquake,” April 26, 2015. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepal-earthquake-nepal-ambassador-thanks-indian-government-for-rescue-help-758258.

^[xxxviii] Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal. “Handing over of Earthquake Relief Materials to the Government of Nepal,” November 5, 2023. https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/159.

^[xxxix] Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal. “India Gifts 23 Tonnes of Essential Medicines to Nepal to Fight COVID-19,” April 22, 2020. https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/338.

^[xl] Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal. “Government of India Gifted One Million Doses of ‘Made in India’ COVID19 Vaccines to Nepal,” January 21, 2021. https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/390.

^[xli] Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal. “Indian Army Hands over Medical Equipment to Nepali Army,” June 21, 2021. https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/216.

^[xlii]UNICEF. “Children Account for Half of Dead and Injured in Nepal Earthquake - UNICEF,” November 7, 2023. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-account-half-dead-and-injured-nepal-earthquake-unicef.

^[xliii] kathmandupost.com. “Government in No Rush to Seek Foreign Help for Quake Relief,” November 5, 2023. https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/11/05/government-in-no-rush-to-seek-foreign-help-for-quake-relief.

^[xliv] GorakhaPatra. “India Donates Relief Materials Worth Rs 160 Million,” November 5, 2023. https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/34668.

^[xlv] NDTV. “4th Consignment of Relief Materials, Equipment from India Arrives in Quake-Hit Nepal,” November 21, 2023. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/4th-consignment-of-relief-materials-equipment-from-india-arrives-in-quake-hit-nepal-4593293..

^[xlvi]https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/33#:~:text=The%20first%20consignment%20of%20more,Nepal%20on%205%20November%202023

^[xlvii] Prasain, Sangam. “The Kathmandu Post.” @kathmandupost, March 2, 2023. https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/03/02/nepal-s-growth-to-crawl-to-4-4-percent-amid-slow-trade-poor-investment..

^[xlviii]प्रियेश मिश्र. “भारत ने निभाया पड़ोसी धर्म तो गदगद हुआ नेपाल, राजदूत ने दिल खोलकर की मोदी सरकार की तारीफ.” Navbharat Times, November 6, 2023. https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/world/asian-countries/nepal-envoy-welcomes-indian-assistance-to-nepal-aftermath-of-the-earthquake/articleshow/105006574.cms#google_vignette.

^[xlix]OpIndia. “Nepal Earthquake: India Hands over 5th Tranche of Relief Material, Announces NPR 1000 Crores Assistance during Jaishankar’s Visit,” January 5, 2024. https://www.opindia.com/2024/01/eam-jaishankar-kathmandu-india-announces-npr-1000-crores-help-for-nepal-earthquake-relief/.

^[l] Ghosh, Sounak. “Nepal between India and China.” Modern Diplomacy, September 4, 2024. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/09/05/nepal-between-india-and-china/.

^[li] GFDRR. “PDNA Undertaken after Cyclone Nargis Killed 84,537 People,” n.d. https://www.gfdrr.org/en/myanmar-2008-pdna-undertaken-after-cyclone-nargis-killed-84537-people.

^[lii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “On India’s Assistance for the Cyclone in Myanmar,” May 12, 2008. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F2053%2FOn+Indias+assista=.

^[liii] Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar. “Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR),” 2016. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/pages/NTQx.

^[liv] IANS. “India Pledges Funds Myanmar’s Cycone-Hit Buddhist Shrine,” June 3, 2008. https://twocircles.net/2008jun03/india_pledges_funds_myanmars_cycone_hit_buddhist_shrine.html.

^[lv] Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar. “Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR),” 2016. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/pages/NTQx.

^[lvi] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Joint Statement during the Visit of Chairman, State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar,” July 27, 2010. https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/4283/Joint+Statement+during+the+visit+of+Chairman+State+Peace+and+Development+Council+of+Myanmar.

^[lvii] World Bank. “Myanmar Floods and Landslides: Post Disaster Needs Assessment,” 2015. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/myanmar/publication/myanmar-floods-and-landslides-post-disaster-needs-assessment.

^[lviii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Disaster Relief Support to Myanmar in Response to Flood Emergency,” August 6, 2015. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F25655%2F=.

^[lix] Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar. “Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR),” 2016. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/pages/NTQx.

^[lx] ReliefWeb. “India’s Humanitarian Aid for Cyclone Victims Arrives,” June 7, 2017. https://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/india-s-humanitarian-aid-cyclone-victims-arrives.

^[lxi] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Details of Humanitarian Assistance Provided by India over the Last 5 Years,” March 20, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/2324-20-03-2025-en-1.pdf.

^[lxii] https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/pages/NTQx

^[lxiii] Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar. “Handing over of Medical Supplies to Myanmar,” May 5, 2020. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/public_files/assets/pdf/Medical_English_Version.pdf.

^[lxiv] Embassy of India, Yangon, Myanmar. “Handing over of COVISHIELD Vaccine to Myanmar,” January 22, 2021. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/public_files/assets/pdf/English_EMBASSY_OF_INDIA_PRESS_RELEASE.pdf.

^[lxv] Global New Light Of Myanmar. “Rice and Wheat Donated by India to Be Distributed in Yangon Region Coordinated - Global New Light of Myanmar,” April 14, 2022. https://www.gnlm.com.mm/rice-and-wheat-donated-by-india-to-be-distributed-in-yangon-region-coordinated/.

^[lxvi] NASA Science. “Cyclone Mocha Strikes Myanmar,” May 15, 2023. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/cyclone-mocha-strikes-myanmar-151343/.

^[lxvii] World Bank. “Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha, May 2023,Myanmar”:, June 29, 2023. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/d547c7dcb949a8b07aea2cc2e66a7bbc-0070062023/original/GRADE-CycloneMochaMay23Myanmar.pdf.

^[lxviii] The Hindu. “India Launches ‘Operation Karuna’ to Assist Cyclone-Hit Myanmar,” May 18, 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-launches-operation-karuna-to-assist-cyclone-hit-myanmar/article66867347.ece.

^[lxix] Ibid.

^[lxx]World Bank. “Myanmar September 2024 Typhoon Yagi Floods: Flood Extent Note,” January 2025. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099061125060524995/pdf/P507337-0e233021-6a0c-45ba-a171-8641c52ae0f2.pdf.

^[lxxi] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Operation Sadbhav: India Sends 53 Tonnes of Emergency Flood Relief Assistance Worth US$ 1 Million to the Union of the Republic of Myanmar,” September 17, 2024. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/38300/Operation_Sadbhav_India_sends_53_tonnes_of_emergency_flood_relief_assistance_worth_US_1_million_to_the_Peoples_Republic_of_Myanmar.

^[lxxii]Rajendran, C P. “How Did the Myanmar Earthquake Occur? | Explained.” The Hindu, April 3, 2025. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/how-did-the-myanmar-earthquake-occur-explained/article69403721.ece.

^[lxxiii]Mishra, Vibhu. “Myanmar: Thousands Remain in Crisis Weeks after Deadly Earthquakes.” UN News, April 18, 2025. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162401

^[lxxiv]Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Press Brief on Operation Brahma ,” April 1, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F39317%2FPress_Brief_on_Operation_Brahma_2000_Hrs_April_01_2025=

^[lxxv]National Disaster Response Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . “India Extends Humanitarian Aid and Deploys NDRF Rescue Team to Myanmar Following Devastating Earthquake | NDRF - National Disaster Response Force,” March 29, 2025. https://www.ndrf.gov.in/en/pressrelease/india-extends-humanitarian-aid-and-deploys-ndrf-rescue-team-myanmar-following.

^[lxxvi]The Hindu. “Field Hospital Operationalised in Mandalay, India Sends More Relief in Ships and Aircraft,” April 1, 2025. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/field-hospital-operationalised-in-mandalay-india-sends-more-relief-in-ships-and-aircraft/article69400093.ece.

^[lxxvii] Misra, Apoorva, and Akash Sharma. “Myanmar Earthquake: Indian Army Medics to Receive WHO Emergency Medical Team Accreditation.” News18, April 15, 2025. https://www.news18.com/india/myanmar-earthquake-indian-army-medics-to-receive-who-emergency-medical-team-accreditation-ws-kl-9299318.html.

^[lxxviii]https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/field-hospital-operationalised-in-mandalay-india-sends-more-relief-in-ships-and-aircraft/article69400093.ece

^[lxxix] Embassyofindiayangon.gov.in. “Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR),” 2026. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/pages/NTQx.

^[lxxx]ddnews. “म्यांमार भूकंप राहत अभियान : भारत का ऑपरेशन ब्रह्मा जारी, स्थानीय लोगों ने जताया आभार,” April 2, 2025. https://ddnews.gov.in/myanmar-earthquake-relief-operation-indias-operation-brahma-continues-local-people-express-gratitude/

^[lxxxi] Prem, Ashvini. “A Guide to the 2021 Myanmar Military Coup.” LSE Undergraduate Political Review, March 7, 2023. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseupr/2023/03/07/a-guide-to-the-2021-myanmar-military-coup/.

^[lxxxii] Glendinning, Aiden. “Threat to Livelihoods Deepens as Myanmar Economic Outlook Remains Weak.” World Bank, June 12, 2024. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/06/12/threat-to-livelihoods-deepens-as-myanmar-economic-outlook-remains-weak.

^[lxxxiii] Raj, Rohit . “The Indo-Myanmar Border Fence: Challenges and Way Forward.” MP-IDSA, March 6, 2025. https://idsa.in/publisher/comments/the-indo-myanmar-border-fence-challenges-and-way-forward.

^[lxxxiv] Roy, Nilova. “Indian Air Force Drops Supplies to Sri Lankan Tamils.” The Washington Post, June 5, 1987. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/06/05/indian-air-force-drops-supplies-to-sri-lankan-tamils/d7bbdbe0-0103-42c9-9b7f-689b7a2fab3e/.

^[lxxxv] The Hindu. “Sri Lanka Marks 21st Anniversary of 2004 Tsunami; Remembers over 35,000 Dead,” December 31, 2025. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-marks-21st-anniversary-of-2004-tsunami-remembers-over-35000-dead/article70439333.ece.

^[lxxxvi] High Commission of India, Colombo, Sri Lanka. “Ten Years on from the 2004 Tsunami: Remembering India-Sri Lanka Solidarity - Press Releases | High Commission of India, Colombo, Sri Lanka,” July 13, 2015. https://www.hcicolombo.gov.in/section/press-releases/ten-years-on-from-the-2004-tsunami-remembering-india-sri-lanka-solidarity/?.

^[lxxxvii] ReliefWeb. “India Reassures Long-Term Help for Sri Lanka,” April 25, 2005. https://reliefweb.int/report/sri-lanka/india-reassures-long-term-help-sri-lanka.

^[lxxxviii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Assistance to Sri Lanka,” March 31, 2023. https://www.mea.gov.in/lok-sabha.htm?dtl%2F36431%2Fquestion+no4900+assistance+to+sri+lanka.

^[lxxxix] The Times of India. “India’s Gift of 5 Lakh Doses of Covid-19 Vaccines Reach Sri Lanka,” January 28, 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-gift-of-5-lakh-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-reach-sri-lanka/articleshow/80496661.cms.

^[xc] Who.int. “Cyclone Ditwah 2025,” 2025. https://www.who.int/srilanka/emergencies/cyclone-ditwah-2025.

^[xci]Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India Undertakes Operation Sagar Bandhu for Emergency HADR Assistance to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah,” December 1, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F40354%2FIndia_Undertakes_Operation_Sagar_Bandhu_for_Emergency_HADR_Assistance_to_Sri_Lanka_following_Cyclone_Ditwah=.

^[xcii] Ibid.

^[xciii] Ibid.

^[xciv]Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Operation Sagar Bandhu Continues Providing Emergency HADR Support to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah,” December 9, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F40420%2FOperation+Sagar+Bandhu+continues+providing+Emergency+HADR+Support+to+Sri+Lanka+following+Cyclone+Ditwah=.

^[xcv] Ibid.

^[xcvi] Ibid

^[xcvii] Pib.gov.in. “Beyond Battlefield: Indian Armed Forces in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief,” February 15, 2026. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=157371&NoteId=157371&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=2.

^[xcviii]Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Operation Sagar Bandhu Continues Providing Emergency HADR Support to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah,” December 9, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F40420%2FOperation+Sagar+Bandhu+continues+providing+Emergency+HADR+Support+to+Sri+Lanka+following+Cyclone+Ditwah=.

^[xcix] Singh, Abhinav. “Sri Lankan Thanks ‘Indian Soldiers’ for Relief Efforts during Cyclone Ditwah: ‘Forever Grateful.’” www.ndtv.com. NDTV, December 2, 2025. https://www.ndtv.com/feature/sri-lankan-thanks-indian-soldiers-for-relief-efforts-during-cyclone-ditwah-forever-grateful-9734602.

^[c]https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-completes-third-bailey-bridge-in-sri-lanka-under-usd-450-million-post-cyclone-ditwah-assistance/

^[ci] World Bank. “Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery Remains Incomplete as Key Challenges Remain.” World Bank Group, October 7, 2025. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/10/07/sri-lanka-s-economic-recovery-remains-incomplete-as-key-challenges-remain.

^[cii] Shihar Aneez. “Disaster Diplomacy Aids Sri Lanka as World Rallies after Ditwah’s Trail of Destruction.” EconomyNext, December 10, 2025. https://economynext.com/disaster-diplomacy-aids-sri-lanka-as-world-rallies-after-ditwahs-trail-of-destruction-252276/.

^[ciii] Ravihari, KMV, VS Suriyabandara, and KBC Madhushan. “An Analytical Study of Sri Lanka’s Geostrategic Importance in the India-China Power Rivalry.” Journal of Frontiers in Multidisciplinary Research 6, no. 2 (2025): 489–92. https://doi.org/10.54660/.jfmr.2025.6.2.489-492.

^[civ] Ibid.

^[cv] Ibid.

^[cvi]https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-sends-more-relief-to-sri-lanka-after-cyclone-ditwah/article70339494.ece

^[cvii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Evacuation of Indians and Afghans under ‘Operation Devi Shakti’ and Shipment of Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Afghanistan,” December 11, 2021. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F34643%2FEvacuation+of+Indians+and+Afghans+under+Operation+Devi+Shakti+and+shipment+of+humanitarian+assistance+for+the+people+of+Afghanistan.

^[cviii] Ibid.

^[cix]https://www.news18.com/news/india/india-evacuated-565-people-from-afghanistan-under-operation-devi-shakti-mea-4516214.html

^[cx] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India’s Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan,” June 2, 2022. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/35381/Indias+humanitarian+assistance+to+Afghanistan.

^[cxi] The Times of India. “Afghanistan Thanks India for Sending 5 Lakh Coronavirus Vaccine Doses,” February 7, 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/afghanistan-thanks-india-for-sending-5-lakh-coronavirus-vaccine-doses/articleshow/80738280.cms.

^[cxii] DD News. “India Sends 73 Tonnes of Medicines and Vaccines to Support Afghanistan’s Healthcare,” November 28, 2025. https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-sends-73-tonnes-of-medicines-and-vaccines-to-support-afghanistans-healthcare/.

^[cxiii] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Special Train Carrying Relief Supplies Leaves for Pakistan,” October 14, 2005. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=12676®=3&lang=2.

^[cxiv] ReliefWeb. “GOI to Despatch Another Consignment of Relief Material to Pakistan on November 17,” November 16, 2005. https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/goi-despatch-another-consignment-relief-material-pakistan-november-17.

^[cxv] Kirsch, Thomas D., Christina Wadhwani, Lauren Sauer, Shannon Doocy, and Christina Catlett. “Impact of the 2010 Pakistan Floods on Rural and Urban Populations at Six Months.” PLoS Currents 1 (July 22, 2012). https://doi.org/10.1371/4fdfb212d2432.

^[cxvi] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “India Offers Assistance of $ 25 Million to Pakistan for Flood Relief,” August 31, 2010. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=65460&utm_source=®=3&lang=2.

^[cxvii] Walker, Peter. “Pakistan ‘Welcomes’ $5m Flood Aid from Rival India.” the Guardian, August 20, 2010. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/20/pakistan-welcomes-flood-aid-india.

^[cxviii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “On India’s Relief Package for Cyclone Victims in Bangladesh,” November 19, 2007. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/3398/OnIndiasreliefpackageforcyclonevictimsinBangladesh.

^[cxix] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Transcript of EAM’s Joint Press Conference in Dhaka,” February 9, 2009. https://www.mea.gov.in/incoming-visit-detail.htm?5513/Transcript+of+EAMs+Joint+Press+Conference+in+Dhaka=

^[cxx] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Joint Statement on the Occasion of the Visit of the PM of India to Bangladesh,” September 7, 2011. https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5147/Joint+Statement+on+the+occassion+of+the+visit+of+the+PM+of+India+to+Bangladesh=.

^[cxxi] Press Information Bureau, Government of India. “Operation Insaaniyat,” September 14, 2017. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1502990®=3&lang=2.

^[cxxii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Details of Humanitarian Assistance Provided by India over the Last 5 Years,” n.d. https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/2324-20-03-2025-en-1.pdf.

^[cxxiii] NDTV . “India Gifts 1.2 Million Free Doses of Covid Vaccine to Bangladesh,” March 27, 2021. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-gifts-1-2-million-free-doses-of-covid-vaccine-to-bangladesh-2400308.

^[cxxiv] Ahmed , Kazi Fahim . “Why Bangladesh Is Important to India?” The Geopolitics, August 30, 2022. https://thegeopolitics.com/why-bangladesh-is-important-to-india/.

^[cxxv] Ibid.

^[cxxvi] The Times of India. “India Dispatches 1.5 Lakh Doses of Covishield Vaccine as Gift to Bhutan,” January 20, 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-india-dispatches-1-5-lakh-doses-of-covishield-vaccine-as-gift-to-bhutan/articleshow/80356867.cms.

^[cxxvii] Digital Sansad. “Relief and Medical Assistance to Other Nations,” March 20, 2025. https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/267/AU2324_YjqdzN.pdf?source=pqars.

^[cxxviii] NDTV. “Bhutan Prime Minister Thanks India for 4 Lakh Doses of Covid Vaccine,” March 22, 2021. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bhutan-prime-minister-thanks-india-for-4-lakh-doses-of-covid-vaccine-2396539.

^[cxxix] SANDRP. “Oct 2025: Bhutan’s Tala Dam Overtopped,” October 7, 2025. https://sandrp.in/2025/10/07/oct-2025-bhutans-tala-dam-overtopped/.

^[cxxx] Arun Dhital. “Mamata Banerjee Demands Compensation from Bhutan for North Bengal Floods That Killed over 30.” Swarajyamag, October 14, 2025. https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/mamata-banerjee-demanded-compensation-from-bhutan-for-north-bengal-floods-that-killed-over-30.

^[cxxxi] Newsonair.gov.in. “Bhutan Flood Rescue Successful with Support from Indian Army,” October 5, 2025. https://www.newsonair.gov.in/bhutan-flood-rescue-successful-with-support-from-indian-army/.

^[cxxxii] ANI News. “Indian Army Rescues Civilians in Flood-Hit Bhutan amid Challenging Conditions,” October 5, 2025. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/indian-army-rescues-civilians-in-flood-hit-bhutan-amid-challenging-conditions20251005203016/.

^[cxxxiii] https://www.newsonair.gov.in/bhutan-flood-rescue-successful-with-support-from-indian-army/

^[cxxxiv] Stobdan, P. “India and Bhutan: The Strategic Imperative.” MP-IDSA, 2014. https://idsa.in/publisher/occasionalpaper/india-and-bhutan-the-strategic-imperative.

^[cxxxv]ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bhutan. “Bhutan-India Hydropower Relations – Royal Bhutanese Embassy, New Delhi,” n.d. https://www.mfa.gov.bt/rbedelhi/bhutan-india-relations/bhutan-india-hydropower-relations/.

^[cxxxvi] Joshi, Manoj. “Bhutan-China: Settling Border Issues.” orfonline.org, November 16, 2023. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/bhutan-china-settling-border-issues.

^[cxxxvii] Kan, H, M Ali, and M Riyaz. “The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Maldives: Waves and Disaster Affected by Shape of Coral Reefs and Islands.” AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2005 (December 2005): U11A0814. http://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005AGUFM.U11A0814K/abstract.

^[cxxxviii] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Update in the Wake of Destruction Caused by Tsunami Waves,” December 27, 2004. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/7333/MEA+update+in+the+wake+of+destruction+caused+by+Tsunami+waves.

^[cxxxix]https://www.globalindian.com/story/brand-india/standing-with-the-world-major-relief-operations-undertaken-by-the-indian-agencies/

^[cxl] NDTV. “Maldives Water Crisis: India Transports 1,000 Tonnes of Fresh Water to Male,” December 7, 2014. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maldives-water-crisis-india-transports-1-000-tonnes-of-fresh-water-to-male-709771.

^[cxli] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Joint Press Statement on Official Visit of External Affairs Minister of India to the Maldives,” February 21, 2021. https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl%2F33556%2Fjoint+press+statement+on+official+visit+of+external+affairs+minister+of+india+to+the+maldives.

^[cxlii] Ibid.

^[cxliii] Ritika V Kapoor. “Significance of the Maldives to India.” National Maritime Foundation, April 9, 2020. https://maritimeindia.org/significance-of-the-maldives-to-india/.

^[cxliv] Ibid.

^[cxlv] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “QUESTION NO.3692 NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY,” 2026. https://www.mea.gov.in/rajya-sabha.htm?dtl/31673/QUESTION+NO3692+NEIGHBOURHOOD+FIRST+POLICY.

^[cxlvi] Pib.gov.in. “Act East Policy,” 2015. https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=133837.

^[cxlvii] Pib.gov.in. “Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah Inaugurates the ‘India Maritime Week - 2025’ in Mumbai,” October 27, 2025. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182946.

^[cxlviii] “Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India-Maldives Bilateral Relations,” 2024. https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Bilateral-Brief-Unclassified-March-2024.pdf.

^[cxlix] Chauhan, Anil. “India Has Emerged as First Responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) at Global Level.” Pib.gov.in, March 14, 2023. https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1906761®=3&lang=2.