Rescue worker at the site a high-rise building under construction that collapsed in Bangkok after an earthquake on March 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised “all possible assistance” to Myanmar and Thailand after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the two southeast Asian countries on Friday (March 28, 2025). The announcement of help came soon after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced PM Modi would visit Thailand during April 3-4 to attend the 6th summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Bangkok which would be followed by a visit of PM Modi to Sri Lanka during April 4-6.
“Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand,” Prime Minister Modi said in a message after the news of the devastating earthquake came in.
The issue of humanitarian assistance in BIMSTEC region featured also in the media engagement of the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs later in the day with Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar pointing at the need for coordination to ensure timely assistance to deal with the aftermath of natural disasters.
“The BIMSTEC region is prone to extreme weather events and natural disasters. Its relevance can be seen today in the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Collaboration in disaster management and between our disaster management authorities through HADR [humanitarian assistance and disaster relief] exercises has been a priority area for India,” Mr. Mazumdar said.
The upcoming BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok is unique as it is the first time that the leaders of the seven member countries of BIMSTEC will meet physically after the end of the pandemic. The last BIMSTEC summit that was held physically was in Kathmandu in 2018. The fifth summit of BIMSTEC was held virtually under the leadership of Sri Lanka in 2022. The sixth summit is also unique as it is the first physical summit since the February 2021 coup in Myanmar.
The summit has been drawing attention because of the civil war in Myanmar and the breakdown in law and order in Bangladesh where the government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in August 2024 through a student-people uprising. The earthquake of Friday (March 28, 2025) has added an additional dimension to the event. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “We are currently analysing reports of damage primarily in Myanmar. We are in touch with the authorities in Myanmar and are also looking at the exact requirements for the assistance and relief material that might be required. India has always been the first responder in the neighbourhood whenever these kinds of natural disasters have taken place.“
Published – March 28, 2025 10:50 pm IST
