India’s Health Diplomacy and COVID-19 Crisis

The contemporary nature of global politics is much of uncertainty and unpredictability. The complex set of inter-related events unfolding across the globe at different levels are contributing much to this uncertainty, with emerging concerns on global security and cooperation, food security and supply chains, life and health. Much of this can be attributed to COVID-19 pandemic with long-term effects on geopolitics and the socio-politico-economic conditions across the world. The geopolitical ramifications of COVID-19 at global levels have now become an emerging reality. At the same time, Corona pandemic has also propelled India’s gradual ascent to the high table of global health diplomacy. Devoid of engaging in any conspiracy theories about the origin of Corona, India remained focused in its approach to contain pandemic with collective efforts domestically and globally. As one of the world’s leading supplier of COVID-19 protection logistics, preventionary vaccines and medicines, India has wielded its soft power potential to great effect globally, drawing much acknowledgement and political clout internationally. The pandemic has brought new possibilities and opportunities for India to leverage its soft power through its being health diplomacy. The success of India’s Health Diplomacy is in tune with its civilizational ethos and values of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumkam’ or ‘Universal Brotherhood’.