Amid widespread panic, chaos and equally massive response
against Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID), I would like to draw your attention
towards some of the news reports:
- Donald Trump thanks India for Supplying Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), says this act would not be forgotten.
- Brazilian President Bolsanaro equates India’s move to supply HCQ to Brazil as that of bringing “Sanjivani” Herb by Hanuman.
- India's coronavirus Mediplomacy: Russia says thanks to New Delhi; HCQ sent to Gulf.
- India is supplying HCQ to 55 countries; will not procure PPEs from China.
What do these news reports suggest? Let me draw some
possible extrapolations. India is winning over the hearts of the COVID
embattling nations by its Mediplomacy.
So this Mediplomacy (Medicine
Diplomacy) can be said to be a diplomatic masterstroke by the Indian
government. In these challenging times, when the world seems to be falling
apart, India has emerged as a binding glue.
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| Image Source: Narendramodi.in |
Apart from Mediplomacy,
India has emerged as a world leader in some other domains as well. For example,
the G20 leaders’ virtual conference on response against COVID was said to be
the brainchild of the Indian Prime Minister. Moreover, by pioneering the SAARC
leaders’ virtual conference on tackling COVID, India also signalled that it is
not an impediment against the working of SAARC. Rather, India is even ready to
overlook its genuine inhibitions against Pakistan, and is already making
efforts towards reviving SAARC for the larger benefit of the South Asian
nations.
These instances suggest that the goodwill that India has
been able to generate at the global platform as a peace-loving friendly nation
is rising. In addition to the soft-power generated through the warmly favoured
Indian diaspora, India has been able to successfully explore other avenues to
be added to its “arsenal” of soft-power.
On the other hand, the hitherto superpowers like USA and
China are facing entirely different kinds of risks. On one side, a ‘developed’
nation like USA (along with Italy, UK, and France etc.) have witnessed an unprecedented healthcare
challenge and loss of precious human lives. On the other hand, China having
reported the first ever COVID-19 case and despite successfully controlling the
spread after more than 3 months of aggressive (and questionable) measures has
earned a bad name for itself. There are a number of reasons for it including
lack of transparency in sharing critical information, the conspiracy theories,
sending inferior Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to nations as medical
aid, etc.
It can thus be seen that the global order is witnessing a
significant shift in terms of the balance of power. USA having its
vulnerabilities exposed (inadequate response to COVID), has suffered
significantly in terms of its image as a superpower. On the other hand, China, which
was so far posing stiff competition to the USA as an upcoming superpower has
suffered in terms of its image of a ‘responsible’ nation.
Amid all the chaos, India despite its vulnerabilities in
areas like healthcare, huge population with significant share of poor and
marginalized, has so far done exceptionally well in terms of tackling COVID.
This advantage, however, has come at a huge economic cost. Various global
financial institutions including IMF, have projected India’s real GDP growth
rate for 2020-21 to be less than 2 per cent (a historic low). A silver lining,
however, is that India is projected to have a positive GDP growth rate while the
global economy is projected to have entered recession (negative GDP growth
rate).
However, one significant
negative of the COVID pandemic has been the degrading image and reliability
of a major global body, i.e. WHO. Its role in tackling the pandemic has come
under scanner. It is being criticised heavily by the USA which has even
announced a funding blockade for
WHO. It has also led to a visible
polarisation among nations into two blocks, one led by China backing the
WHO is pitched against the other led by USA which is criticising it. In this
scenario, it becomes even more crucial for a country like India to make efforts
to keep the world together.
It is being speculated that the massive economic and human
losses across countries will have serious ramifications in terms of loss of
confidence among countries, and trust in the multilateral organizations like
the UN. India, thus has a huge opportunity at its hand to become the
torchbearer of goodwill, holding globalization and countries together. So far,
the national leadership has been successful in undertaking this responsibility.
However, there are some significant
challenges in coming future.
Firstly, the goodwill
that India has been able to generate for itself can at best only supplement its economic heft.
Without significant annual economic growth rate of about 7 per cent or more, it
will be very difficult to attract/retain foreign investment. Moreover, it will
be very difficult to generate adequate employment opportunities for the
youthful population without a significant economic growth. We are already
witnessing massive unemployment levels which pose a risk of worsening to some
unprecedented levels in wake of suspension/below par economic activity due to
COVID related restrictions.
Secondly, since past few months, the social fabric of the
nation has been under massive tension and stress. Indian society seems to be
polarising due to a number of factors, which don’t need any further
elaboration. Communalism also seems to be projecting its ugly face back again.
So, it becomes even more crucial for the government in particular and the
people in general to make conscious efforts towards building back the confidence and winning trusts of the entire population. An unstable society is like a ticking
bomb with huge potential ramifications for the economy, polity and the
democracy.
Thus, it is crucial for India as a nation to keep its house
in order so that the gains we are making at the global levels are not
compromised in any manner due to some domestic factors.
However a significant
positive is the visible rise in the image and stature of India as a ‘responsible’ nation with
compassion towards all other nations. Indian government through its actions has
shown to the world that we not only preach Vasudeva
Kutumbhkam (world is one family), but also practice it enthusiastically.
Our Mediplomacy is
already winning hearts and minds of people world-over. It is even more crucial
that we actively make efforts at building up on the initial gains for the
benefit of one and all. As it is said that tough
times don’t last, tough people do. It is evenly applicable for nations, and
India is emerging as one such nation.
Note: The inspiration for this piece came from my friend Shaktiswaroop who suggested me to write
something about India’s Mediplomacy.
References:
It was worth reading this, the way it has been structured is exceptional. Keep writing and keep awakening people ...gud luck
ReplyDeleteThis topic is nicely put in words. Quite sensational and highly organised.
DeleteThis will definitely help and encourage people to start writing of their own.
Keep it up.
Thank you all for your encouraging words :)
DeleteWe not only preach 'vasudeva kutumbhkam ' but only inherit it in our morals and values and so we believe and live in it..india is not only helping its own citizens to cope up with this tense and unimaginable situation of this pandemic but also helping all other nations too..showing the true spirit of brotherhood and friendly relations..Onida undoubtedly is indeed a friendly and peace loving country.
ReplyDeleteBut also inherit*.
DeleteIndia undoubtedly*
I do agree with your points.
Delete