India’s Disaster Diplomacy: Strengthening Regional Cooperation in South Asia

Abstract

India's disaster diplomacy has become a pivotal component of its regional strategy in the South Asian region through disaster relief, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and humanitarian aid which helps in strengthening regional cooperation. India has positioned itself as a first responder to neighbouring nations by and providing assistance during crisis as the region is recognized for being highly prone to natural disaster such as earthquakes, cyclones, and floods. The paper discusses India’s disaster diplomacy as a tool for regional engagement, analyse its institutional mechanisms, flagship disaster response exercises, and assistance to multilateral organizations like SAARC and BIMSTEC. The paper would examine and highlight India’s swift and rapid disaster response which has reaffirmed diplomatic ties. Various of the initiatives and decisions have been taken by India on several such tragic events including the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004), the 2015 Nepal earthquake (Operation Maitri), and Cyclone Amphan (2020) among others. India’s COVID 19 vaccine diplomacy showcased its capability to deliver important and quick health aid independent of immediate disaster relief. Yet, the challenges remain persistent in this regard too as China’s competing humanitarian initiative and logistical limitations hamper and also constraints the effectiveness of India's disaster Diplomacy. Disaster risk is expected to intensify due to the climate change. The paper maintains that institutional mechanisms, more developed and enhanced early warning systems and fostering multilateral cooperation can further secure India's leadership in regional disaster management.