Vaccine Maitri, Soft Power, Foreign Policy

COVID-19, said to be the disease of a century, is causing death of millions, erasing the livelihoods, and destroying the World’s economy. The entire world, be it developed, democratic or autocratic had come to a standstill. There was no cure, no measure of prevention, no proper infrastructure to tackle it. With time, countries started to develop vaccines to fight the COVID-19, But these weren’t accessible to all.

The expectation that an early vaccination will bring back normalcy and a required push to economic growth fuelled many advanced countries to engage in vaccine battles. Afterall, economy is what builds an empire. When a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens or residents and prioritises its own domestic markets over other countries it is known as ‘vaccine nationalism’.

Is it new? NO! During H1NI flu pandemic, Australia developed the first vaccine, blocked exports and entered advance purchase contracts with wealthiest countries. It was only when the H1N1 pandemic began to recede that developed countries offered to donate vaccine doses to poorer economies. One mustn’t ignore the fact that the impact of COVID-19 is far higher than H1N1.

Even in the times of Chanakya, the concept of ensuring security of neighbours was given utmost priority in India, the idea is that one can protect oneself only when his neighbours are safe. You would be surprised to know the ring-fence policy adapted by the East India Company is along the same lines. India’s relations with the world, especially with neighbours have seen a drastic transformation over the last decade.

India has proactively taken a position for vaccine exports under grant mode and to least developed countries cost free. India’s Vaccine Maitri has been a tremendous feat for coordinated global efforts in bringing COVID-19 under control. This has consolidated India’s name as the world’s pharmacy. It has further enhanced the Soft Power of India and generated goodwill among these developing & least developed countries. This helped in dispelling the perception amongst neighbourhood that India is hegemonic and a “Big Brother” and to exert itself as a “Responsible Power.”

Non-Alignment policy framed by our founding fathers has been bedrock in her NO-FIRST USE nuclear policy. With rising trade wars, protectionism, and an assertive China, India wanted to create a multi polar world where it would establish its prominence once again. With this view, Look East, Act East, Gujral doctrine policies were framed.

Does it really depict the credibility of the country, when it isn’t vocal about the genocide, fall of legitimate democracy in Myanmar, or the civil wars in East Asia? Or even Taliban fighting for equal rights with an elected government in Afghanistan?

India has assumed a lot of positions in the UNGA, UNSC and WHO recently, but one cannot ignore the growing farmer protests or internet shutdowns within the country. With China using debt trapping and aggressive colonisation of South China sea and a strategic security threat to India. Does India’s intention of using soft power diplomacy is enough? Only time could tell.

This article has been written by Ethamakula Kiranmayee, a PGP (2021–23) Student at IIM Ahmedabad . All the views expressed are her own.