Being a leading voice of the Global South, India has stood by countries affected by natural calamities or man-made crises, showcasing New Delhi’s commitment to global solidarity and compassion—true to its philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'
On January 10, India sent essential medicines such as antibiotics, pain killers, antipyretics, ors and muscle relaxants to Cuba after hurricane ‘Rafael’ hit the Caribbean country. Earlier, it would be seen in the case of Bolivia when India immediately rushed humanitarian aid to the central south American country after forest fire engulfed it.
 
Or, it could be witnessed in the case of Vanuatu after a deadly earthquake of magnitude 7.4 hit it on December 17. India immediately extended relief assistance of $500,000 to the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Vanuatu after the earthquake-led to death of several people and displacement of thousands of others.
 
Pursuit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ philosophy 
However, Vanuatu is not alone. The list of countries that received humanitarian aid from India is very long. In December 2024 alone, India airdropped humanitarian help to three countries— Jamaica, Lesotho, and Myanmar. Behind such generosity lies the fact that India believes in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family.
 
It was this understanding which led New Delhi to launch ‘Operation Sadbhav’ to provide help to countries affected by ‘Typhoon Yagi’ in September 2024. Vietnam was one such country to whom India sent a consignment of 35 tons of humanitarian assistance. India’s assistance included water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, among others.
 
India also extended assistance to Myanmar around that time as Typhoon Yagi had caused massive destruction of life and property. It dispatched the tranche of 21 tons of relief material within hours of receipt of the request from the Myanmar side. This assistance to Myanmar was in line with long standing ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies. 
 
In June 2024, after Cuba reported outbreak of Oropouche virus, a chronic communicable disease, India sent a consignment of 90 tonnes of Made in India nine Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to the Caribbean country’s drug manufacturers to produce essential antibiotics in the dosage form of tablets, capsules, syrups, and injections, needed for the treatment of the disease.
 
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s humanitarian diplomacy is a crucial strategic tool in Bharat’s soft power arsenal. Swift and effective responses during natural and man-made calamities have not only led to strengthening New Delhi’s strategic and diplomatic ties but have also contributed a lot more in showcasing the country’s commitment to global solidarity and compassion—true to its rich culture and philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’
 
For that matter, Afghanistan is a case in point to show India’s large heartedness as it has not hanged back in extending humanitarian assistance to the country even as Kabul’s thrones are seated by none other than the Taliban whose regime has not yet been recognised by New Delhi. India has persisted with its acts of providing wheat, medicines, and fertilisers to Afghanistan under the ambit of its humanitarian assistance.
 
As a first responder 
When a devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023, India demonstrated its commitment to global solidarity by launching ‘Operation Dost.’ It deployed search and rescue teams, medical personnel, and relief materials to Turkey and dispatched consignments to Syria that included medicines for emergency use, fluids for hydration, protective gear, medical equipment like ECG machine and patient monitor.
 
And, it was done within hours of a request of assistance from Ankara and Damascus. The move established India’s credential as being the first responder, and with this, also showcased the country’s ability to act swiftly with all possible available help not only in the neighbourhood but also beyond. Earlier it was seen in the case of Nepal after a deadly earthquake struck it in 2015.
 
Recently, India’s ability being the first responder to a crisis was demonstrated effectively when New Delhi came to the rescue of the Maldives after it suffered an economic disaster with the US credit ratings agency Fitch downgrading it to junk status due to the worst liquidity situation.
 
India not only helped the Maldives by entering into currency swap agreements worth Rs 6,300 crore to address its foreign exchange crisis, but also rolled over $50 million loan for a year, easing the debt repayment schedule which is estimated to jump to $1.07 billion by 2026.
 
Contributor to global good 
India has never shied away from working for the good of the world and perhaps, this fact is known better by those who never expected that they would survive the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
 
In the midst of the worst days of Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 when demand for Covid vaccine within India itself was very high, New Delhi supplied vaccine to far and wide in the world. It supplied Covid vaccine to more than 150 countries.
 
Earlier in 2020 when vaccine for Covid-19 was not even manufactured, India supplied hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves, and other medical supplies to many countries in the fight against the pandemic.
 
Conclusion
India has never discriminated against any country while offering its help. It extended assistance to Pakistan when a deadly earthquake hit it in 2005 and devastating floods struck it in 2010.
 
New Delhi had provided $25 million worth of assistance to Pakistan in 2010 and it was extended to Islamabad just two years after the November 2008 terror attack in which Pakistan-backed terrorists had killed more than 160 people in Mumbai. Broadly, it speaks volumes of India’s generosity and the humble way it has extended its help to the countries which are in crisis.
 
***The writer is a Delhi-based senior journalist; views expressed here are her own