Parliament Question: Humanitarian Aid Mission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1060 ANSWERED ON – 05/12/2025 HUMANITARIAN AID MISSION

1060. DR. AMAR SINGH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has taken initiatives to use humanitarian aid for boosting India’s soft power globally and if so, the details thereof and it not, the reasons there for;

(b) the details of recent humanitarian aid missions such as Operation Brahma, including aid provided, rescue teams deployed and areas covered;

(c) the impact of these missions on India’s diplomatic relations and regional influence; and

(d) the plans to enhance India’s role as a first responder in international natural disasters and strengthen cooperation with multilateral organizations? 1ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to d) The Government has undertaken several Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in keeping with its role as a ‘First Responder’ in the region and beyond. These relief efforts, including Operations Maitri (Nepal), Dost (Turkiye and Syria), Karuna (Myanmar), Sadbhav (Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam), Search and Rescue Operation (Nepal), Brahma (Myanmar), along with multiple relief deployments under Mission SAGAR, involved sending medical teams, field hospitals, rescue units and essential supplies to countries in need. During the pandemic, India supplied 30.12 crore doses of vaccine to 99 countries and 2 United Nations entities under the Vaccine Maitri initiatives since January 2021, along with essential medicines and medical support, underscoring its role as a reliable first responder and development partner. During the last five years, India has provided humanitarian assistance to over 150 countries. India has also deployed Rapid Response Teams and medical contingents to many countries.

2India launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance, following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28th March 2025. During the operation, India

provided approx. 750 MT of HADR supplies including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, gensets, essential medicines, medical consumables and food aid including rice and cooking oil, as well as 20 pre-fabricated structures to support the rehabilitation of government offices. India also sent an 80-member Heavy Search and Rescue (SAR) specialist team from NDRF and deployed a 127- member Indian Army Field Hospital team in Mandalay. The Field Hospital treated 2519 patients. India also deployed a 6-member Engineers Reconnaissance team from the Indian Army to Mandalay and Naypitaw to assess the structural damage and suggest restoration of damaged infrastructure. India deployed 9 IAF aircraft and 5 IN ships to deliver the above-mentioned assistance. Op.

Brahma was India’s whole-of-government endeavor to respond to the extensive destruction in Myanmar and demonstrate solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

India’s HADR initiatives are a symbol of friendship and goodwill and help foster cooperation and diplomatic ties with recipient nations.

3By providing timely, need-based and rapid assistance during emergencies, India has reinforced trust and goodwill with partner countries. India’s medical assistance has also contributed to building stronger health systems in recipient countries. These sustained efforts have enhanced India’s reputation as a dependable first responder and a constructive regional partner.

India aims to strengthen its role in disaster response by enhancing inter-ministerial coordination and ensuring that relief supplies meet stringent international standards. The country has developed 01 Heavy INSARAG-classified USAR team to support specialized rescue operations. Efforts also focus on consolidating the logistics chain to expedite mobilization of HADR consignments, improving preparedness by pre-positioning relief source (non-perishable) on a rotational basis, and improve synergy among all stakeholders and line ministries to ensure timely and effective humanitarian assistance.

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