Lok Sabha Question No. 1060 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Humanitarian  Aid Mission
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## 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?

## ANSWER 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.

India   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 28 th   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 127member 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.

By   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 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 expedite mobilization of HADR   consignments, assistance.

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