India launches ‘Operation Brahma’ to aid Myanmar after devastating earthquake hits the Southeast Asian nation
| 2025-03-01
India’s ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur formally handing over relief material to Chief Minister of Yangon, U Soe Thein in Yangon on March 29
Continuing its commitment as the first responder to crises in the countries of the Global South, India on Saturday launched ‘Operation Brahma’ to assist Myanmar, where a deadly earthquake has led to the death of more than 1600 people. The US Geological Survey estimates that the death toll could rise to 10,000.
Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The first aircraft carrying 15 tonnes of relief material took off at around 3 AM this morning from Hindon Air Force base and reached Yangon at around 8 AM. The Indian ambassador was there to receive the relief material, and and thereafter he handed it over to the Chief Minister of Yangon. From there, these 15 tons of relief material have been sent out to those parts of the country which need help.”
The MEA Spokesperson said these 15 tons of material comprise tents, blankets, essential medicines, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, gensets, solar lamps, food packets, kitchen sets and, also essential medicines.
Two aircraft carrying 80 NDRF search and rescue team personnel specialists along with equipment, relief material, and a canine squad, have also been sent to Myanmar. Additional tranche of support being provided by India includes a field hospital comprising 118 doctors and paramedics.
Giving details about the field hospital, Directorate of Military Operations Brigadier H S Mavi said, “Incidentally, it is the same field hospital which participated in ‘Operation Dost’ in Turkey. So, therefore, it carries institutional knowledge, and we have made sure that we have included officers who participated in that, so that they become active respondents and proactive in their response to this.”
In the context of the composition of the field hospital team, Brigadier H S Mavi said, “It includes doctors. We have six medical officers including two specifically lady medical officers to look at the gender aspects of looking after the patients. In terms of specialists, we have surgical capability, medical, anesthesiologist, ortho, all have been grouped along with this team to give it a comprehensive kind of a cover.”
He also said the 118-member team will provide a fully functional operation theatre armed with several facilities, including X-ray at that field hospital.
“We have also incorporated dental facilities in it. They are carrying advanced equipment, they are carrying vehicles, ambulances and essential medicines which we perceive would be required on ground based on experience in Op Dost. Lastly, Indian Army is ready to scale up as and when required and to do that, other field hospitals have been nominated and should the need be felt, Indian Army is ready to scale up the operation,” Brigadier H S Mavi said.
In commensurate with India’s approach to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance to Myanmar which has witnessed extensive damage in terms of loss of lives and properties, New Delhi has also sent four Naval ships for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the Southeast Asian nation. These ships carry several tons of relief material.
Myanmar is a home to around 50,000 to 60,000 Indian nationals and nearly 2 million Indian diaspora. “So far, no casualty has been reported among the Indian nationals, and we are in touch with all community organizations for their welfare, for their safety. We also have a large Indian diaspora in Myanmar, almost 2 million. We are also in touch with those organizations as well,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
Emphasizing the core message underlying India’s humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said, “It is part of our policy to be the first responder. We want, when we say, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the World is One Family), we also want to mean it, we want to prove that by action. And therefore, we are very humbled when we have this opportunity to respond to crises such as what has happened in Myanmar and extend our support to people.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and conveyed his condolences at the loss of lives.
“Spoke with Senior General H.E. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour. Disaster relief material, humanitarian assistance, search & rescue teams are being expeditiously dispatched to the affected areas as part of #OperationBrahma,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media platform X.
India and Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire across land, air and sea, US confirms mediation
India and Pakistan have agreed to a full ceasefire across all military fronts following US-mediated talks, halting three days of escalating conflict.
| 2025-05-10
India launches ‘Operation Brahma’ to aid Myanmar after devastating earthquake hits the Southeast Asian nation
Continuing its commitment as the first responder to crises in the countries of the Global South, India on Saturday launched ‘Operation Brahma’ to assist Myanmar, where a deadly earthquake has led to the death of more than 1600 people. The US Geological Survey estimates that the death toll could rise to 10,000.
| 2025-03-29
India-Nepal development partnership: India provides financial assistance for new school building in Nepal
Sharing a close relationship between them, rooted in strong cultural, ethnic, and historical ties, India and Nepal have over the years strengthened their longstanding partnership through various diplomatic initiatives, with development cooperation playing a key role.
| 2025-03-25
Jaishankar asserts Kashmir issue will only be resolved when Pakistan returns “stolen part” of the region to India
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday reminded Pakistan that India is waiting for Islamabad to “return the stolen part” of Jammu and Kashmir.
| 2025-03-06
India slams UN Human Rights Chief’s remarks on Kashmir and Manipur
India’s reaction came after UN High Commission for Human Rights Volker Turk referred to the situation in Manipur and Kashmir in his global update to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
| 2025-03-04