The framework for cooperation for Swiss Humanitarian Assistance in India is the agreement signed between the Government of Switzerland and Govt of India in November, 2003 on ‘Cooperation in the event of disaster’. The agreement, which is in the spirit of international cooperation, states the conditions under which the Swiss Government may offer and place at the disposal of the Govt of India, the aid unit of Humanitarian Aid of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Article 12 of the MOU mentions the possibility of training programmes being organised towards enhancing the disaster response capabilities of India. 

The visit of the then President of India Dr Abdul Kalam to Switzerland in May 2005, the subsequent developments and a number of discussions and interactions with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India led ultimately to a decision on collaborating with the Swiss on training of the National Disaster Response Force for urban search and rescue (USAR). 

Since 2006, missions in search for dog handlers and their dogs and missions in rescue for the identified personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of the National Disaster Management Authority have been organised at regular intervals.

Following the success of the USAR project mentioned above, a request was made by the NDMA to consider the possibility of imparting training to the NDRF personnel towards achievement of INSARAG (International Search and rescue Advisory Group) certification. This initiative was pursued through several meetings and interactions with the NDMA as well as with the NDRF. Efforts are now underway to develop a detailed project document for capacity development in INSARAG certification, which should pave the way for commencement of the INSARAG training.