When Disaster Strikes, the Indian Army Becomes the Face of the State

When disaster strikes, what matters most is not what a government says, but what it does—and how fast it does it. In those moments, the Indian Army often becomes the face of the Indian state. The Indian Army's actions on the ground shape rescue outcomes, as well as public trust at home and India’s credibility abroad.After the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023, Indian Army aircraft, medical teams, engineers, and rescue specialists were mobilised within hours. Under Operation Dost, Army field hospitals were set up in the city of Iskenderun within two days. Doctors worked around the clock. Engineers searched collapsed buildings with specialized sensors to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.In disaster zones

crowded with international responders, credibility is built through results, not symbolism. The Indian Army did not arrive with slogans. It arrived with functioning systems, trained personnel, and the ability to operate under chaos.Why Disaster Relief Builds Trust?Disaster relief is often described as humanitarian work. It is also a powerful test of state capacity. In a crisis, institutions must move quickly, coordinate smoothly and also deliver help where it is needed most. The Indian Army plays a central role in this as it is designed for rapid mobilisation, sustained operations and coordination across multiple agencies.When the Army performs well, it sends a clear message to the affected communities, to foreign governments as well as to the Indian citizens that the state can be relied upon when it matters most. This kind of trust cannot be created through speeches or diplomacy. It comes from visible competence.India’s disaster response framework reflects this reality. While political decisions are taken at the diplomatic level, execution on the ground depends heavily on Army units, supported by the Air Force and Navy. The Army provides the backbone—command, discipline, logistics and medical support which holds the entire operation together.This structure ensures speed minus the confusion. During the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the Indian Army rescue teams were among the first foreign responders on the ground to arrive within hours. Their presence was not chaotic or overbearing, in stead it was organised and effective.Respect Matters as Much as SpeedA key reason the Indian Army's relief operations earn trust is restraint. Indian teams work under the authority of the host government, not over it. During Operation Dost, the Indian Army personnel coordinated closely with Turkey’s disaster management agency and did not bypass it.This approach is deliberate. When local authorities remain in control, they maintain legitimacy in the eyes of their own people. India’s assistance strengthens national institutions and does not seek to overshadow them. That respect builds long-term goodwill far more effectively than high-profile displays of generosity.Strong at Home, Reliable AbroadThe Army’s effectiveness overseas is rooted in its experience at home. Across India, Army units are repeatedly called in during floods, cyclones, landslides, and earthquakes. These are not ceremonial tasks. They involve real risks, long hours, and complex coordination with civil authorities.Because disaster response is part of the Army’s lived experience, overseas missions are not improvised. Regular joint exercises and training ensure that medical units, engineers, aviation assets as well as logistics teams can work together seamlessly.This preparation was evident after the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar. Indian Army medical teams treated thousands of civilians, while logistics units moved large volumes of relief supplies through damaged infrastructure. These numbers matter because they signal consistency. it is not a one-off success.Learning from Every CrisisTrust grows when institutions improve over time. After each major disaster operation, the Indian Army conducts detailed reviews to identify the things that worked and the things that need repairs. Lessons from Operation Dost led to better urban rescue training, improved equipment readiness and faster deployment models.This willingness to learn strengthens confidence at home. Citizens remember who shows up during crises and whether they return better prepared the next time. The Army’s reputation as one of India’s most trusted institutions has been built through this repeated performance under pressure.More Than HumanitarianismHumanitarian assistance and disaster relief are not separate from strategy. They are in fact an expression of state strength. A country that responds effectively to disasters signals reliability, discipline, and responsibility.India’s HADR record matters not because it showcases kindness, but increasingly because it proves capability. Through the Indian Army’s actions, the state demonstrates that it can move fast, coordinate well, respect others’ sovereignty and deliver help when lives are at stake.In a region where natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, this credibility carries real strategic value. Trust, after all, is earned through action.