 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi File image/PTI")
India emerged as the first responder in the global crisis through a well-established humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) diplomacy. Over the last few years, India has transformed its global policy and proactively had been advocating and endorsing swift aid during the terms of conflicts and natural disasters.
The global south has been recently facing flood and landslide related issues and catastrophe. Countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are getting swept in the wave of climatic change. India acts as a relief help to foreign countries and aids internationally. Alongside the diplomatic objectives, India’s role reflects the ethos of service and crisis responder.
India’s historical operations
The crisis responder has historical roots, India has acted as an aid during the Tsunami phase marking a pivotal moment. During the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, India launched rapid relief operations named Operation Rainbow (Sri Lanka), Operation Castor (Maldives), and Operation Gambhir (Indonesia).
The mission demonstrated India’s ability to mobilise military and act as a civilian resource in the neighbouring countries crisis.
India initiated Operation Maitri, during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, deploying the Army, Air Force, and special teams as rescue and relief efforts. This was regarded as India’s largest relief effort.
The Pandemic phase
India launched the Vaccine Maitri initiative, in which it supplied Covid-19 vaccines and medical aid to over 150 countries, exemplifying its human-centric diplomacy.
Recent issues
The diplomatic shift turned to India’s platform with the escalating wars and tensions in various countries like, Iran, Israel, and Ukraine, Russia.
During the need to evacuate people and Indian citizens from Ukraine, India sent its troops to ease the tensions and mobilise aid and resume efforts. India extended significant humanitarian assistance during the West Asia crisis. Since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023, India sent around 70 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid, including medicine and medical supplies.
Through decades of humanitarian efforts, India has always paved the way for rapid and well-coordinated missions. It established itself as a vital responder in global crisis under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership and robust foreign policy.