India has launched Operation Brahma to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that INS Karmuk and LCU 52 are en route to Yangon, carrying relief supplies for the affected regions. This mission is part of India’s ongoing commitment to being the "First Responder" in the region.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Indian Navy ships Satpura and Savitri from the Eastern Naval Command had already set sail on Saturday with 52 tons of relief materials. The aid includes essential clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency supplies. These efforts are coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the Indian Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Integrated Defence Staff.
Southeast Asia lies in an earthquake-prone zone, sitting along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where multiple tectonic plates converge, causing frequent seismic activity. Countries like Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand regularly experience earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. The region’s vulnerability underscores the importance of swift disaster response and international cooperation in mitigating human and economic losses.
In a special briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised India’s swift response, reinforcing the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance that India stands ready to provide all possible support to Myanmar during this crisis.
Jaiswal reaffirmed that there have been no reported casualties among Indian nationals in Myanmar. He also underscored that India's commitment to global solidarity is demonstrated through action, not just words.
Dr Chamu Kuppuswamy is a senior lecturer and interdisciplinary researcher at Hertfordshire Law School and has been a part of Asian Voice’s Climate Change Panel in the past in association with the Royal Air Force. She’s passionate about protecting the natural environment as an individual in her spare time and volunteers as a park ranger with the Peak District National Park. Speaking to Asian Voice, she said, “Disaster preparedness is an integral part of climate change adaptation planning. For some years now, both climate finance for adaptation and adaptation planning and implementation have been the neglected children of the UNFCCC negotiations. It is high time adaptation takes off at speed so that the impact of disasters such as the recent earthquakes in South east Asia are better managed and much needed implementation of national action plans happen.”
