Vaccine Diplomacy: India adopts "Neighbor's First"

On August 8, 1949, India and Bhutan signed the treaty of friendship and forged an alliance which would serve as a milestone for the globalised world in the years to come. In the most recent revelations, a consignment containing 100,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines and another consignment containing 150,000 doses of COVISHEILD vaccines will reach the Himalayan state of Bhutan by today. Alongside the hermit kingdom, Maldives will be also receiving the first doses of the vaccine.

From having little or absolutely no production facility for PPE kits to distributing vaccines to its neighbouring states, India definately seems to have come a long way. During his visit in 2019, Prime Minister Modi rightly said ‘Neighbourhood First is our priority; and in the Neighbourhood Maldives is priority’. Maldives reciprocrates with the same by adopting a 'India First' stance when it comes to foreign policies.

The Foreign Secretary had visited Maldives in November 2020 and had assured that the first batch of vaccines would be supplied to the island nation. India seems to have fulfilled and kept its promise and since the island nation has a low population, the vaccine doses will cover a significant part of the population.
 

Even during the pandemic, when the International Borders were closed, India launched Operation Sanjeevani, to supply medicines to the Maldives by providing 6.2 tonnes of medical supplies. Under the Mission Sagar, India also ensured food security to the Maldives population.

Maldives, being reliant on imports, was dependent on India during the global lockdown to keep its economy running efficiently, India provided and kept its promise.

The MEA said in an official statement earlier: “The Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries. In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of humanity fight the Covid pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from 20 January 2021.

India had also ensured continuous support to the hermit kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. India provided essential medicines and medical supplies including Paracetamol, Hydroxychloroquine, PPEs, N95 masks, x-ray machine and test kits worth over INR 2.8 Core to the Royal Government of Bhutan. India also facilitated repatriation of over 2000 Bhutanese nationals stranded in various parts of India and 14 struck in different nations via Vande Bharat Mission.

When it comes to scientific diplomacy, India has played a part too, by providing specialised courses related to clinical trials of the COVID vaccine  to the neighbouring states. It also released 501 crores on an immediate basis for the assistance of Bhutan. India had also asked the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop a SAARC satellite.

India needs to constantly focus on building up relationships with its neighbours to not just maintain a regional diplomacy but also to counter the growing threat of the Chinese. The country has proven to be a friend in need and continues to do so, forging alliances based on trust, mutual respect and admiration.

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