India has a unique diplomatic tool few nations have
They're calling it "disaster diplomacy"
In the last few years, ๐ฎ๐ณ has provided aid during:
-2014 Maldives water crisis
-2015 Nepal Earthquake
-2023 Turkey quakes
๐งตon how ๐ฎ๐ณ's disaster diplomacy is aiding its rise๐(1/11)
They're calling it "disaster diplomacy"
In the last few years, ๐ฎ๐ณ has provided aid during:
-2014 Maldives water crisis
-2015 Nepal Earthquake
-2023 Turkey quakes
๐งตon how ๐ฎ๐ณ's disaster diplomacy is aiding its rise๐(1/11)
(2/11)
What is India's disaster diplomacy?
Refers to ๐ฎ๐ณ's use of humanitarian aid to achieve foreign policy objectives like:
-Showing ๐ฎ๐ณ's reach by responding to crises from Japan to Turkey
-Improving bilateral ties; Op Maitri during 2015 Nepal quakes helped๐ties b/w๐ฎ๐ณ&๐ณ๐ต
What is India's disaster diplomacy?
Refers to ๐ฎ๐ณ's use of humanitarian aid to achieve foreign policy objectives like:
-Showing ๐ฎ๐ณ's reach by responding to crises from Japan to Turkey
-Improving bilateral ties; Op Maitri during 2015 Nepal quakes helped๐ties b/w๐ฎ๐ณ&๐ณ๐ต
(3/11)
India's support for humanitarian aid stretches back to early post-Independence yrs
๐ฎ๐ณ assisted neighbours like Bangladesh after repeated cyclones
In Sri Lanka, ๐ฎ๐ณ helped w. reconstruction after its devastating civil war
BUT, ๐ฎ๐ณ was constrained by limited resources
India's support for humanitarian aid stretches back to early post-Independence yrs
๐ฎ๐ณ assisted neighbours like Bangladesh after repeated cyclones
In Sri Lanka, ๐ฎ๐ณ helped w. reconstruction after its devastating civil war
BUT, ๐ฎ๐ณ was constrained by limited resources
(4/11)
India's use of "disaster diplomacy" took off after 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
A senior Ambassador tells me: โ๐ฎ๐ณโs capacity..was recognized by major countries in the region.. ๐ฎ๐ณ naval vessels were the first to reach the devastated province of Aceh in Indonesia"
India's use of "disaster diplomacy" took off after 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
A senior Ambassador tells me: โ๐ฎ๐ณโs capacity..was recognized by major countries in the region.. ๐ฎ๐ณ naval vessels were the first to reach the devastated province of Aceh in Indonesia"
(5/11)
He says: "That was when ๐ฎ๐ณโs profile as a first responder began to grow. The government also began to recognize the advantages that it could derive from being seen as a provider of security and assistance in the region"
India soon passed the Disaster Mgmnt Act, 2005
He says: "That was when ๐ฎ๐ณโs profile as a first responder began to grow. The government also began to recognize the advantages that it could derive from being seen as a provider of security and assistance in the region"
India soon passed the Disaster Mgmnt Act, 2005
(6/11)
This๐India's ability to respond to crises abroad by creating the Nat'l Disaster Response Force
The NDRF, with a strength of 8 battalions, became the backbone of ๐ฎ๐ณ's relief efforts
However, there were early failures like the tardy response to 2011 Fukushima Disaster
This๐India's ability to respond to crises abroad by creating the Nat'l Disaster Response Force
The NDRF, with a strength of 8 battalions, became the backbone of ๐ฎ๐ณ's relief efforts
However, there were early failures like the tardy response to 2011 Fukushima Disaster
(7/11)
This changed by 2015 Nepal Earthquake
Former NDRF DG @OP_Singh83 tells me:
"We were the first intl rescue team in ๐ณ๐ต. Within hours we had.. equipment, rescue teams, canines..we pulled out 11 live victims from the rubble..for the 1st time, we received global recognition"
This changed by 2015 Nepal Earthquake
Former NDRF DG @OP_Singh83 tells me:
"We were the first intl rescue team in ๐ณ๐ต. Within hours we had.. equipment, rescue teams, canines..we pulled out 11 live victims from the rubble..for the 1st time, we received global recognition"
(8/11)
๐ฎ๐ณ has since conducted ops in B'desh, Afghanistan & S.Lanka
๐ฎ๐ณ is achieving its first goal from disaster diplomacy: power projection
As a former top diplomat said: "We are demonstrating that our reach extends from Malacca in the Far East to the Red Sea in the West"
๐ฎ๐ณ has since conducted ops in B'desh, Afghanistan & S.Lanka
๐ฎ๐ณ is achieving its first goal from disaster diplomacy: power projection
As a former top diplomat said: "We are demonstrating that our reach extends from Malacca in the Far East to the Red Sea in the West"
(9/11)
The second goal: breakthroughs in bilateral ties
This is complicated. While ๐ฎ๐ณ's aid helps๐ties w. nations, it may not provide lasting benefits
With Nepal, Op. Maitri helped ties but tensions over other issues have hurt relationship
The second goal: breakthroughs in bilateral ties
This is complicated. While ๐ฎ๐ณ's aid helps๐ties w. nations, it may not provide lasting benefits
With Nepal, Op. Maitri helped ties but tensions over other issues have hurt relationship
(10/11)
Disaster diplomacy will be one of ๐ฎ๐ณ's most potent foreign policy tools in the future
Why?
Because world & S Asia in particular will be vulnerable to climate change
800 mn ppl in region live in climate vulnerable spots
As such, ๐ฎ๐ณ's unique skills will be in demand
Disaster diplomacy will be one of ๐ฎ๐ณ's most potent foreign policy tools in the future
Why?
Because world & S Asia in particular will be vulnerable to climate change
800 mn ppl in region live in climate vulnerable spots
As such, ๐ฎ๐ณ's unique skills will be in demand
(11/11)
For those interested in my full exclusive story on the matter: livemint.com
Thanks to @KabirTaneja, @OP_Singh83 & MEA diplomats for their inputs
For those interested in my full exclusive story on the matter: livemint.com
Thanks to @KabirTaneja, @OP_Singh83 & MEA diplomats for their inputs
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