Vaccine Diplomacy: Partnering Global Goods

The pandemic had a profound impact on the world. It showed at large the vulnerabilities of developed and developing nations and expanded the non-traditional security basket to involve the health care system. Moving beyond the pandemic hinged on a vaccine, nations raced to find an answer. India is known as the “pharmacy of the world” as it has the manufacturing capabilities for mass production. Thus, India put its best foot out to develop a vaccine, mass manufacturing it and then disbursing commercially and in the form of aid to many global south nations. Japan’s vaccine story was marred in inept policy direction; however, it reached out to provide financial support to its neighbouring nations to buy and disburse vaccination drives. This chapter maps India and Japan’s vaccine stories and focus on two critical aspects of vaccine diplomacy. One is how India gained ascendancy in the diplomatic circle through its vaccine diplomacy. Two is how India and Japan collaborated to actively engage in vaccine procurement, distribution, and support throughout the global recovery from the pandemic.