India committed to the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence: Anurag Singh Thakur
Anurag Singh Thakur addressed the 151st IPU Assembly on the theme “Upholding Humanitarian Norms in Times of Crisis” in Geneva, Switzerland
23 October 2025, Geneva, Switzerland: Anurag Singh Thakur, former Union Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament from Hamirpur Lok Sabha Constituency and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel, presented India’s position on the topic “Upholding Humanitarian Norms and Supporting Humanitarian Action in Times of Crisis” at the General Debate of the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur represented India’s parliamentary voice before parliamentarians from over 170 countries and reiterated India’s civilisational commitment to global humanitarian work.
Reaffirming India’s principled stance, Anurag Singh Thakur underlined that India’s humanitarian engagement is guided by sovereignty, non-interference, and moral responsibility, and that India remains committed to the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. He urged all parliamentarians to rise above partisan and geopolitical divisions, unite for the dignity of all human beings, and strengthen collective action to protect the vulnerable.
Against the backdrop of increasing conflicts, disasters, and pressure on the international humanitarian framework, Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur warned of a decline in multilateral cooperation and a decrease in humanitarian funding. He called for comprehensive reforms to make multilateral institutions more inclusive and representative, especially of the Global South, and appealed to governments, international agencies, and private stakeholders to increase support for the UN humanitarian assistance system to ensure timely, adequate, and principled assistance.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur recalled India’s long-standing contribution to international peace and security, with over 200,000 Indian personnel serving in 49 UN peacekeeping missions, and India’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it supplied over 301 million vaccine doses to over 100 countries and UN entities under Vaccine Maitri. He described India’s technical cooperation and capacity building through targeted humanitarian operations such as Operation Brahma (Myanmar, March 2025) and Operation Sadbhav (West Asia), underscoring India’s readiness to deploy resources in times of urgent need.
On the domestic front, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur underlined India’s strong legal, institutional, and financial framework for disaster preparedness and response. He referred to the Disaster Management Act (2005) and recent amendments that strengthen state and city disaster management institutions; he highlighted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with over 16,000 trained personnel, which has saved 159,293 lives and evacuated 864,316 people since its inception; and pointed to funding mechanisms such as the National and State Disaster Risk Management Funds, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, and partnerships with civil society, which collectively underscore India’s resilience.
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur affirmed that India’s participation in the 151st IPU Assembly reflects its contemporary commitment to its civilizational values and global solidarity, embodying the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”.
