Written by Pranay Bamnath
Image credit: K.V.S. Giri
Vaccine diplomacy is one of the dynamic and evolving essence of diplomacy. While the concept is bit old, It has gained extreme prominence in the times of global fight against Covid-19. In the past times as well, Some countries has been using vaccines as a tool for projecting their soft power. But the scale of vaccine diplomacy witnessed this time is unprecedented. While the global cooperation was necessitated seeing the disastrous havoc created by Covid-19, Some developed countries resorted to Vaccine Nationalism in this dark times.
At this critical juncture arrived India with its flagship program of “Vaccine Maitri” to take country’s vaccines around the globe despite its domestic demand, India took this great humanitarian work against the backdrop of raging pandemic and is currently supplying Millions of Covid doses to several countries, Showcasing its soft power through Vaccine diplomacy.
India at the forefront of Vaccine Diplomacy
Ministry of external affairs is at the helm of affairs in spearheading the vaccine diplomacy along with its domestic private partners including SII(Serum institute of India- worlds largest vaccine manufacturer) and Bharat Biotech. Till now India has supplied 30 million doses of vaccine all across the world. While Indian companies like SII and Bharat Biotech has commercially tied up with Foreign governments for the regular supplies.
Ability of India and the response of Indian Government.
India has showcased why it is called the pharmacy of world, Firstly by supplying medicines and now vaccines in the time of grave importance, Showcasing its credentials of being a future superpower. While India has received stiff competition from Chinese Sinovax and Russian Sputnik in the field of vaccine diplomacy, India has emerged as the most trusted and reliable vaccine provider due to its transparency in data sharing about the efficacy of vaccine. Something which Chinese are reluctant to do, Brazilian government replacing Chinese Sinovax with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is evident example of this.
India leading the World Initiative
India is the first country around the globe which took the noble initiation of supplying Covid doses to UN Peacekeeping forces, While several developed nations including United states , UK , Italy are struggling to inoculate their domestic population, India has not only successfully supplied vaccine to several nations but at the same time it is vaccinating millions back at home.
This gesture of India coming through vaccine diplomacy has brought tons of gratitude and goodwill all across the world not only from foreign governments but also from common masses. Starting from Brazilian President Jair Bolsnaro, Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau to Leaders from countries in global south like Dominican Republic and Barbados all have praised India’s vaccine diplomacy in this global dark hour of need.
International Organizations like IMF, WHO and World Bank, All of them have
recognized and hailed India’s importance in the fight against pandemic through its sheer commitment towards global humanity based upon some of its fundamental tenets like “Vasudev Kutumbakam”. India has not only showcased its great soft power ability to deliver through its vaccine diplomacy and garnish ample amount of goodwill, It has also showed its potential of being a global leader.
Domestic Implications for India
While India received huge applause from several world leaders and global community at international forum, It received certain backlash from the opposition parties back at home. While leaders like Akhilesh Yadav refused to vaccinate , Questioning the efficacy of domestic vaccine by calling it a political tool of ruling dispensation. Some other domestic leaders and political commentators questioned the timing of vaccine diplomacy at a point when a huge chunk of our domestic population is yet to be vaccinated. Meanwhile there is a bit of resentment among common masses in India about the vaccine being delivered to them a bit late, a majority of them are happy with the government’s decision of initiating such a noble cause at the global stage. The ruling regime will continue to undertake such efforts because of its huge vaccine manufacturing base in India.
Geopolitical Implications for India
Vaccine diplomacy has helped India to recover some lost diplomatic ground that it used to have in the neighbourhood. This was the reason why the government took the initiative to promulgate the vaccine diplomacy starting from its immediate neighbours. It has provided diplomatic heft to India in Bangladesh where relations took downturn after the Bangladeshi bashing that took place in India after the CAA law was passed in the parliament, With Nepal also it is helping India to recover from the strain relationship that started after the Kalapani dispute, Whereas in other neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka it will check the Chinese domination rising through major investments, For Bhutan and Myanmar it will help to enhance our good relationship. The basic rationale behind prioritizing our neighbours barring Pakistan over other friendly nations was to enhance our position against China in respective border countries. Vaccine manufacturing is one arena where India enjoys an edge over China, India is manufacturing and supplying two major vaccines in the world at a very rapid rate in order to curtail the Chinese vaccine diplomacy which has included vaccine in its Health silk road initiative, To enhance its soft power and give tough competition to India’s vaccine mission. India has so far been succeeded in achieving its diplomatic objectives through vaccine diplomacy.
Business Implications
India’s ability to produce pharmaceuticals products and vaccines at such a rapid speed and crucial time will also boost India’s Business and Investment Climate as it is showcasing India as a possible and reliable investment destination even during the tumultuous period due to its ability for manufacturing crucial products, which will enhance the already bright future of India’s pharmaceutical industry, bringing more FDI in this sector. Along with that, it will help India to diversify its supply chain of raw materials for its pharmaceuticals to other countries which is till date majorly dependent on China.
It will help India to diversify its supply chain of raw materials for its pharmaceuticals to other countries which is till date majorly dependent on China, and most importantly it will domestically enhance the confidence on private players by both government and public because of its ability to deliver on crucial times. Hence this will help to boost the privatization within the country, thus creating a positive business and Investment environment within the nation.
Conclusion
Vaccine diplomacy till now has been a major success for the joint partnership of Indian Government and private players. It showcases the potential of desired results, That can be achieved through the competency and skill set of private players having the government backing. This will lay the fertile ground for future cooperation between these two entities.
At the International stage it has brought India huge goodwill all across the globe on which our future foreign policy can work and build upon to achieve our objectives in sync with our national interests. This will provide impetus to business , innovation and investment atmosphere in India. It shows us the way how a progress in one sector can accelerate the progress in other sectors, In this case India’s Major stride in Science has boosted our foreign policy aims and business environment. The seeds sown through the vaccine diplomacy will bring huge fruits for India in the time to come.
The opinions expressed and suggestions made in the article belong solely to the author themselves. Diplomania and O.P. Jindal Global University do not endorse the same.
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