A magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred in Myanmar on April 14, 2025, at a shallow depth of 10 km, heightening the probability of aftershocks. This incidence occurs subsequent to a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale in March. In response, India initiated ‘Operation Brahma,’ sent a contingent of Indian Army Engineers to evaluate the damage in Naypyitaw and Mandalay. The crew is assessing essential infrastructure, including the Old Ava railway bridge over the Irrawaddy River. Moreover, India has extended humanitarian assistance, comprising 15 tonnes of relief supplies, to aid impacted populations and the Indian diaspora in the Yangon region.
India has emerged as a significant player in the landscape of global humanitarian assistance and global security, founded on a strong legal and policy framework. India demonstrates its commitment to international peace and security as well as the promotion of human rights through leadership in disaster response, global health diplomacy and establishing confidence-building measures through defence cooperation. India’s strategic role in these activities illustrates the legal obligations that underpin its national security and foreign policy objectives.
Legal Framework Supporting Disaster Relief and Global Health Initiatives
India has been at the forefront of disaster response operations both domestically and globally through a solid institutional and legal structure. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has provided domestic legislation as a legal framework for preparedness and responding to disasters including the mobilization of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). India has, at times of crisis, assisted other nation-states through domestic and international humanitarian assistance mechanisms, thereby demonstrating its legal and moral obligations to provide humanitarian assistance under international law.
From responding to assistance to Nepal following the 2015 earthquake to aiding Sri Lanka in the face of unprecedented flooding, India’s rapid responses reaffirm India’s commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law (IHL). Moreover, India’s response to the Turkey and Syrian earthquake in February 2023 which included the rapid development of the deployment of ‘Operation Dost’ illustrates how states adhere to international obligations under IHL and promote human dignity.
India has also become a global leader in public health diplomacy. Utilising its vast pharmaceutical industry, the degree to which its national laws (Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Patent Act, 1970) creates an environment for India to provide valued health care goods such as medicines and vaccines to poorer developing countries. One of the actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Vaccine Maitri”) was a clear demonstration of India’s adherence to the International Health Regulations (2005) and commitment to ensuring that access to health care is reasonably equitable.
Legal Aspects of Defence and Counterterrorism Cooperation
Aware of the diverse threats to global security, India has supported its defence partnerships and counterterrorism practice through bilateral and multilateral agreements. The legal authorizations which govern this aspect of India’s national security practice are the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act; techniques consistent with both the constitutional separation of powers and constitutional limitations of government.
India has developed strategic defence agreements with global allies i.e., the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the United States, the BrahMos missiles initiative with Russia, and defence purchases with France and Israel. The core legal jurisdiction to carry out these relations will be under treaties related to international defence cooperation which covers non-proliferation and arms control.
India’s unwavering counterterrorism approach promotes seeking a wider legal framework at the global level through the many years of work on its Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). It has taken a role in the framework of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the fight against terror-funding globally, and has also partnered with Interpol and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on counter-terrorism initiatives globally.
National Security Strategy as a Pillar of Foreign Policy
The bedrock of India’s foreign policy is a sound national security strategy supported by law. It follows from articles in the Indian Constitution including Article 51 directing the state of India to strive for international peace and security. This premise strengthens India’s strategic diplomacy. The policy of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” works towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing which is supported by Indian legal structures: Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) which both help facilitate indigenous production of defence-fighting the criminal acts on water, or acts of terrorism-as well as ensuring compliance with international trade and export control. India also participates in regional security forums and global security forums such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and BRICS which have legal foundations in the form of ‘diplomatic’ or ‘international law.’ These actions enhance India’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, involving greater stability and a rule-based order in international geopolitics.
India’s all-encompassing approach to humanitarian assistance, global health security, and security cooperation is grounded in robust legal frameworks and policy foundations. Leadership in these areas shows a commitment to international law, multilateral cooperation, and cooperative strategic diplomacy. Continuing to enhance its legal frameworks and international behaviour, India strengthens its status as a responsible actor in the global arena related to security, peace, and sustaining it on a global-scale.
Adv. Kushal is a practicing advocate at Supreme Court of India; Senior Panel Counsel for Government of India in Delhi and Dr. Alisha is an Assistant Professor Law at Symbiosis Law School, Pune
