Operation Brahma: India’s Humanitarian Response to Myanmar Earthquake

Context:

Published on March 29, 2025, in The Indian Express, this article details India’s rapid humanitarian response, dubbed "Operation Brahma," to a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, 2025. Authored by Roshni Yadav, it highlights India’s legacy of disaster relief operations and their strategic significance.

Key Information in Points:

• Earthquake Overview: A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025, with its epicenter 17.2 km from Mandalay, killing over 1,002 people and injuring thousands, as reported by the BBC citing Myanmar’s Army.
• Regional Impact: The quake affected Thailand (Bangkok saw a building collapse) and was felt in Northeast India, though no significant damage was reported there.
• Operation Brahma Launch: India initiated "Operation Brahma" on March 29, 2025, delivering 15 tonnes of relief materials to Myanmar via a C130J aircraft to Yangon, including tents, blankets, food, water purifiers, and medicines.
• Scale of Aid: By March 29, India sent 137 tonnes of aid through air sorties and naval ships, with two additional IAF aircraft planned to depart soon.
• Teams Deployed: A search and rescue team, a medical team, and provisions were included in the initial aid tranche; a field hospital with 118 members from Agra was also dispatched.
• First Responder Role: India acted as a "First Responder," with External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasizing rapid assistance to Myanmar.
• Historical Context: India has a notable history of humanitarian missions, including Operation Rahat (2013 Yemen evacuation), Operation Sankat Mochan (2016 South Sudan), and Operation Karuna (2017 Myanmar Rohingya aid).
• Strategic Relevance: Such operations enhance India’s soft power, strengthen bilateral ties with neighbors like Myanmar, and align with its "Neighbourhood First" and "Act East" policies.
• Earthquake Science: Magnitude measures seismic wave size, while strength reflects energy; the quake resulted from the Indian tectonic plate colliding with the Eurasian plate.
• Tectonic Plates: Earth’s crust comprises 7 major and several minor plates moving on semi-molten rock, with collisions causing earthquakes.
• India’s Vulnerability: India faces earthquake risks, with significant past events like the 2001 Bhuj quake (13,000+ deaths), 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (12,000+ Indian deaths), and 2015 Nepal quake (felt in India, 8,964 total deaths).
• Disaster Management: India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), established under the 2005 Disaster Management Act, coordinates such responses, reflecting lessons from past disasters.
• Global Relevance: Humanitarian missions like Operation Brahma showcase India’s disaster response capabilities, vital for international relations and disaster-prone regions.

Key Terms:

• Operation Brahma: India’s humanitarian mission aiding Myanmar post-earthquake.
• Magnitude: Measure of an earthquake’s seismic wave size.
• Tectonic Plates: Large, moving sections of Earth’s crust causing geological activity.
• Soft Power: Influence through cultural or humanitarian appeal rather than force.
• Neighbourhood First Policy: India’s strategy prioritizing relations with neighboring countries.
• Act East Policy: India’s initiative to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia.
• NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority, India’s disaster response coordinator.
• Disaster Management Act, 2005: Legislation establishing India’s disaster management framework.

Link To The Original Article – https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-operation-brahma-bangkok-myanmar-earthquake-upsc-2025-9913063/