Introduction
India’s rescue operations have always been pivotal in providing essential humanitarian aid to conflict zones affected by various crises. These range from rescue operations to humanitarian assistance, including water, food, clothing, and other essential commodities. Over the past four years, numerous conflicts and natural disasters have occurred, resulting in subsequent escalation in humanitarian operations. Notable examples are the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the Russo-Ukraine conflict, the Sudan Civil War, and the Syrian-Turkish Earthquake, where India has played a pivotal role in providing humanitarian aid and relief assistance. Simultaneously, India has also successfully executed operations to repatriate Indian citizens stranded within these zones back to their homeland.
Operation Devi Shakthi (Afghan Civil War, August 2021)
The US, under President Joe Biden, had announced 11th September 2012 as the deadline for the complete withdrawal of American and NATO military personnel from Afghanistan, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. However, the withdrawal was hastily planned and executed, leading to political instability in Afghanistan. This led to the launch of a coordinated offensive by the Taliban, which swiftly captured Herat and Kandahar by August 12th and 13th, respectively. By August 15th, the capital, Kabul, had come under Taliban control.
The Indian Government conducted intense negotiations with the Taliban and launched a coordinated operation to extract Indian citizens stranded within the country. This Operation was code-named “Operation Devi Shakthi.” Under “Operation Devi Shakthi,” the Indian Air Force deployed one C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft and a C-130J Super Hercules Carrier Aircraft for the operation. The 9th Paratroopers of the Indian Armed Forces were deployed as ’Specialised Security Teams’ for the operation.
The mission landed on the 16th of August and facilitated numerous transport operations from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul to Indira Gandhi in Delhi and IAF Air Bases at Gurugram. The operation successfully facilitated the safe return of 448 Indian nationals and 206 Afghans belonging to the minority Hindu and Sikh communities. The Indian Government also supplied the Taliban regime with humanitarian aid, providing COVID-19 Masks, a thousand Indian-manufactured COVID vaccines under the ‘COVAX’ program, and 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat. The operation was deemed a strategic success by the Indian Government as it helped foster a future roadmap for positive relations with the Taliban regime.
Operation Ganga (Russo-Ukraine Conflict, 26 February 2022)
On 22 February 2024, Russia commenced its “special military operation” against Ukraine. What was initially perceived as a swift offensive to capture power with minimal casualties is now a distant dream. As of today, the total tally of military casualties stands at 158,000 and that of civilians at over 12,000. Apart from this, many key Ukrainian cities have been relentlessly bombarded and rendered uninhabitable. Apart from the enormous humanitarian crisis plaguing the country, it is also home to a sizable Indian diaspora of about 20,000 individuals—most of this demographic comprises students, particularly those studying medicine and mechanics.
As such, on the 26th of February, the Indian Government launched ‘Operation Ganga’ with the objective of the safe repatriation of all Indian citizens and diplomatic staff. All nationals were preliminarily transported to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania and Moldova. They were then transported to India with the aid of numerous civilian aircraft. This thus made it a joint operation between the Defence, External Affairs and Civil Aviation Ministries of the Government of India.
The Government of India worked and coordinated with the Russian and Ukrainian governments to facilitate a safe and orderly repatriation process. This included direct talks between Prime Minister Modi, President Putin of Russia, and President Zelensky of Ukraine. Both governments gave assurances of a peaceful evacuation process.
Unfortunately, the conflict had led to the death of one Naveen Gyanagoudar, a 21-year-old student hailing from Karnataka, before the operation. Throughout the conflict, numerous Indians have been lured and transported under false pretences to fight on behalf of the Russian Army on the frontlines. These individuals are attracted by fraudulent travel and employment companies, who promise employment visas and employment guarantees to unwitting Indians. Thus, many such individuals have succumbed to such promises. The Indian Government has since ordered numerous raids and investigations into these companies. The Ministry of External Affairs has since launched multiple protests with the Russian Government over the issue. Nevertheless, Operation Ganga has since been considered a success, with over 20,000 individuals and diplomatic staff repatriated.
Operation Dost (Turkish-Syrian Earthquake, 6 February 2023)
On the 6th of February 2026, two devastating earthquakes, measuring at magnitudes of 7.8 and 7,5 respectively on the Richter Scale, struck the cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmras situated in south-western Turkiye, resulting in over 50,000 casualties and 107,000 injured. Subsequent aftershocks were later felt across north-eastern Syria, which led to the deaths of another 8,500 fatalities and 14,500 injuries. As a result, over 5 million Turkish and Syrian nationals were subsequently displaced.
Countries worldwide sent many Disaster Management and Rescue Teams to aid the Turkish and Syrian governments by providing humanitarian aid and relief to the affected regions. India, on its part, launched Operation Dost and proactively coordinated with Turkish and Syrian authorities.
India deployed 2 National Disaster Response Force Teams (NDRF) and a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Transport Aircraft to Adana along with a squadron of a specially trained dog squad. The team proceeded towards ‘Ground Zero’ and helped execute relief and recovery operations.
Two additional C-17 Transport Aircraft were deployed to Turkiye by the Indian Air Force on the 7th of February 2023. These aircraft carried relief supplies, clothing, water, packaged foods, and a mobile hospital and X-ray and CT scan systems. The Indian Air Force even deployed numerous ‘Droni Drones’ to aid identification and rescue operations.
India and humanitarian grounds had various strategic reasons or “incentives” for the operation. Along with the furthering of bilateral ties between India and Turkiye, the operation would potentially seek to grant India a strategic hold over Turkiye, who continue to back Pakistan over the Kashmir conflict. It as of now, however, hasn’t seemed to reap much benefits, as Turkiye continues to back Pakistan over Kashmir.
Conclusion
India has been more proactive in delivering humanitarian aid to conflict and disaster zones worldwide in the past decade. Aside from the operations above, India has also launched rescue operations during the Nepal earthquake of 2015, the Myanmar civil war, etc. It has also conducted numerous anti-piracy operations, particularly around the Strait of Malacca and the Horn of Africa. Through these operations, India aims to be an ambitious emerging superpower.
However, there is always scope for improvement. Initiatives such as increasing funding for the NDRF and the India-UN Development Fund would result in a more extensive scope to deliver excellent humanitarian aid. Additionally, India can further bilateral relations with various states experiencing conflict and natural disasters. This can be done by creating and enhancing lines of communication with such countries to react and provide humanitarian assistance more swiftly. A specialised ‘Disaster and Aid Co-ordination’ line could be established between India and various afflicted countries. Nevertheless, India’s global role as a steadfast ally in times of crisis is undoubtedly omnipresent.
