India’s soft power is usually linked with concepts like yoga or Bollywood and, lately, cultural elements such as Indian cuisine and spirituality.
One may not imagine that the Indian Navy could contribute toward this essential facet of India’s global image. Among the Indian Armed Forces, however, the Navy is rightfully acknowledged as a crucial element in New Delhi’s hard power and diplomacy. Its soft power aspect is often overshadowed.
However, there is one arena where the Navy’s soft power has been more clearly visible than anywhere else: humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Indian Navy’s swift and effective responses during various natural and man-made calamities have not only strengthened India’s strategic and diplomatic ties but have also contributed a lot more to showcase the nation’s commitment to global solidarity and compassion, true to India’s rich culture and philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning the “world is one family.”
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: A Turning Point
On December 26, 2004, a megathrust undersea earthquake shook the west coast of Sumatra and resulted in a tsunami, which caused enormous swaths of destruction in the Indian Ocean littorals up to the coast of Africa.
The Indian Navy launched a massive HADR effort to help not only its own states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Operation Madad and Sea Waves) but also Sri Lanka (Operation Rainbow), the Maldives (Operation Castor), and Indonesia (Operation Gambhir). Indian relief ships and materials reached the affected areas in less than 12 hours. A total of 40 ships, 42 helicopters, and 35 aircraft with over 20,000 military personnel were deployed in relief operations abroad. India rightly refused foreign support to provide humanitarian relief.
The Indian Navy’s swift operations created a remarkably positive image of India globally. The HADR efforts were broadcast worldwide, portraying India as prompt, capable, and compassionate. Thus, India was cast in a new light as a responsible regional power and a friend to neighboring nations.
The SAGAR Vision and India’s HADR Operations
Following the 2004 tsunami, the tempo of the Indian Navy’s HADR operations increased. Within these operations, elements of what is today the Indian vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) began to surface. From responding to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar to addressing the Maldives’ water crisis, providing aid and relief to littoral countries of the Indian Ocean became a cornerstone of the Indian Navy’s HADR missions.
In 2008, Cyclone Nargis became the worst natural disaster in Myanmar’s history, with a death toll of approximately 138,000. The Indian Navy dispatched INS Rana and INS Kirpan to Myanmar for a HADR mission, signifying the Navy’s growing role in regional disaster response.
Six years later, after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared, along with 239 passengers and crew, disappeared, the Indian Navy joined the search for the missing airliner. The Navy deployed four warships – INS Satpura, INS Sahyadri, INS Saryu, and INS Batti Malv – in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the west of the Andaman Islands, demonstrating India’s willingness to assist in international search and rescue efforts.
Also in 2014, the Indian Navy sent ships loaded with water and desalination plants to the Maldives when a fire disrupted the capital’s water supply. Operation Neer, as the effort was dubbed, highlighted the Navy’s capability to address diverse humanitarian emergencies.
These actions illustrate India’s growing emphasis on HADR within its foreign policy framework, emphasizing its role as a pivotal responder to humanitarian crises both regionally and globally. Indeed, India’s HADR missions are not confined to its immediate neighborhood. The Indian Navy has also conducted operations in African nations like Lebanon and Libya.
The Indian Navy launched Operation Sukoon in 2006 to evacuate Indian, Sri Lankan, and Nepali nationals from war-torn Lebanon. INS Mumbai, INS Brahmaputra, INS Betwa, and INS Shakti were deployed, evacuating thousands of people and marking the largest evacuation operation by the Indian Navy since independence.
The Navy then smashed its own record with Operation Blossom in 2011. Amid unrest in Libya, the Indian Navy sent INS Mysore, INS Aditya, and INS Jalashwa to evacuate over 18,000 Indians, showcasing India’s commitment to protecting its diaspora abroad.
After the Modi government came to power in 2014, the Indian Navy continued and even stepped up its emphasis on HADR efforts in the Indian Ocean, whether in the immediate neighborhood or in eastern Africa.
In 2016, the Sri Lankan Government requested flood relief following Cyclone Roanu. The Indian Navy deployed INS Sutlej and INS Sunayna to Colombo, transferring relief material and medical stores and conducting medical camps for the affected populace.
Later the same year, following a major fire in Ambilobe, Madagascar, that affected over 5,000 people, INS Trikand provided timely assistance by donating essential stores, medical, and surgical materials to local authorities.
In 2017, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard coordinated a mission to assist the merchant vessel MSC Daniela, which reported a fire on board off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Indian Navy’s swift response ensured the fire was controlled and all crew members were safe.
Also in 2017, Cyclone Mora hit Bangladesh and Myanmar. INS Sumitra, on mission-based deployment, rescued 27 survivors, including children and elderly people, from Cyclone Mora’s devastation. Indian Navy also provided relief materials in Yangon, Myanmar, reinforcing India’s commitment to regional humanitarian efforts.
In 2019, after Cyclone Idai devastated southeastern Africa, the Indian Navy sent three ships – INS Sujata, INS Sarathi, and INS Shardul – to Mozambique, following a request for assistance from the local government.
As part of India’s outreach to assist neighboring and partner countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Navy deployed ships carrying food items, medical supplies, and COVID-19-related essential goods to various nations, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros. This mission emphasized India’s commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance, reinforcing the SAGAR initiative.
The Indian Navy launched Operations Samudra Setu I and II to repatriate Indian citizens stranded abroad and augment the national mission to meet medical oxygen requirements. Naval ships brought back thousands of Indian citizens from various countries, ensuring their safe return and compliance with health protocols. The same ships brought critical medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders and COVID-19 test kits, to partner countries.
Most recently, the Indian Navy has been partaking in global effort to protect shipping lanes in the western Indian Ocean. INS Visakhapatnam demonstrated great resolve in joining the firefighting efforts onboard the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, which was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile while laden with hazardous cargo. The turning point came when professionally trained Indian Navy personnel finally succeeded in extinguishing the fire and sealing a significant hull breach.
Enhancing Capabilities
As India continues to emphasize its “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” philosophy, enhancing the Navy’s HADR capabilities – such as expanding medical services, increasing relief material capacity, and developing indigenous HADR ships – will be crucial in maintaining and boosting India’s influence and goodwill on the global stage. In a persistent effort to maintain and enhance India’s soft power via the Navy’s HADR missions, the service needs to strengthen specific areas of priority.
The Navy needs to enhance its capacity to hold and transfer large quantities of relief materials. It should also expand the fleet of helicopters and landing platform docks for efficient personnel and material transfer.
India should upgrade its Navy’s medical services and hospital ships to provide comprehensive medical aid.
The Navy also must improve the production and supply of fresh water to assist in HADR missions where water supplies have been disrupted.
The Navy should establishing rapid joint communication systems for better coordination with other services.
Finally, India should consider the design and construction of indigenous HADR ships to cater to regional needs. These ships could be dual-purpose, serving as revenue-generating coastal passenger ships when not on HADR missions.
Strategic Implications of HADR Operations
The Indian Navy’s HADR efforts are a testament to India’s commitment to global solidarity and compassion. Beyond its hard power and diplomacy role, the Navy has significantly enhanced India’s soft power through swift and effective disaster response operations.
From the 2004 tsunami to responding to cyclones in Myanmar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and beyond; from the pandemic-era Operation Samudra Setu to the recent assistance to the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, the Navy’s actions have provided critical aid and fostered trust and cooperation, reinforcing India’s image as a benevolent leader.
Over the years, the Navy has developed a robust infrastructure for disaster relief, including advanced ships, helicopters, and medical facilities. The Navy’s ability to quickly mobilize and deploy these resources has been crucial in responding to various natural disasters within the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
By demonstrating its ability and willingness to assist in times of need, India enhances its reputation as a responsible and capable leader in the region. This positive image helps India garner support in international forums and strengthens its position on the global stage. As India emphasizes its “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” philosophy, it also presents the image of a country that practices what it preaches.
Further, the assistance provided during crises fosters a sense of trust and cooperation, paving the way for deeper bilateral ties. Endearing the Indian Navy to local populations enhances New Delhi’s credibility of bringing peace and stability to the region where the Indian military could be deployed.
The Indian Navy’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is a cornerstone of India’s strategic soft power. By continuously enhancing its HADR capabilities, the Indian Navy helps ensure regional stability and peace and cements India’s reputation as a nation dedicated to the welfare of humanity. The ongoing commitment to “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” spotlights the Navy’s role in fostering a connected and cooperative global community, navigating towards a future where the world truly becomes one family.