India’s Emergence as a New Global Power
Amidst the worst global crisis brought to us by a novel coronavirus, where millions of people are floundered, India is establishing itself as a responsible and reliable aid, by taking lead in addressing the crises. It seems like Indian diplomacy is not in a lockdown mood, instead, it has decided to push the pedal of its cycle, to present a new global power.
While India has a history of medical diplomacy; this time, it gained the focus of the whole world and showed the dedication of India to live up to its title of “The Pharmacy of the World”. As rudderless as it may sound, but PM Modi has managed to create multilateral engagements with various countries during these critical times, by calling out the virtual summit of (SAARC) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the pharma assistance that has been provided by India to various countries, to help them curb the deadly disease. Approximately 500 million tablets of Paracetamol and 85 million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine are being supplied to nearly 108 countries through flights of Indian Air Force, evacuation charters and diplomatic cargos, along with this, the medical professionals are also being deployed in the global health engagements.
Although many countries have bought these big health consignments; others have received it as a grant from India. Furthermore, the military doctors of India have also been sent to various places like Maldives, Nepal, Kuwait, to name a few, to help the local hospitals in controlling the virus.
Remember the headlines of US President’s alleged threat to India? Yes, over the ban of exports of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Ostensibly, the decision to export these drugs was taken even before Trump’s threat of retaliation against India. Apparently, that same Trump tweeted: “Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you, India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!”
While India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Fully agree with you President @realDonaldTrump. Times like these bring friends closer. The India-US partnership is stronger than ever. India shall do everything possible to help humanity’s fight against COVID-19. We shall win this together.”
Despite a few negative headlines, India’s medical diplomacy was one of the most significant and yet, strategic decision amid the global crisis. We all agree that India’s high profile involvement in the G-20 video conferencing has elevated its health diplomacy to a new level; however, betwixt this, a new debate has arrived about the future world order.
While most of the countries have an unfavourable opinion about the pandemic birth country China, India is constantly using this opportunity to make its goodwill among the rest of the world.
It clearly seemed that despite the pre-occupied domestic situation, India has managed to tackle the global crisis, unlike many other countries that did not deem external affair a priority. Moreover, India’s response has been appreciated by several global leaders, which could probably be a big leverage post-COVID-19.
By Karishma Gwalani
