India’s Medical Diplomacy

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India has a history of medical diplomacy and a robust system of the medical and pharmaceutical industry
India has focussed on the strength of its medical human resources and pharmaceutical manufacturing to help other nations fighting COVID 19 .

What kind of help?

Crores of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol tablets have been sent across the globe
The drug is being given complimentarily to some nations and being sold to others depending on the economic conditions of the nations.
Map source – India Today

Issuing speedy clearances for the export to ~100 countries.
Most notably, the list includes four permanent members of the UN Security Council – US, Russia, France and the UK, besides some 20 countries of Africa and many of India’s immediate neighbours.
Many of the supplies have been made through special Indian Air Force flights, foreign evacuation charters and even diplomatic cargo.
It is a huge exercise, and complicated too, given that most countries, including India, have shut flight operations.
India is also working closely with countries in the middle-east during the pandemic and has been lauded for its generous support by the leaders in UAE

Map source – India Today
The government has shifted its focus to Africa, and is sending critical drugs and medical devices to 13 African countries as a part of India’s humanitarian aid to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The medical aid to African nations consists not only materials to combat Covid 19, but other diseases as well.
Thermometers
Chloroquine, paracetamol and ibuprofen, Azithromycin.
Anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-asthmatic and cardiovascular drugs

A second element has included the despatch of teams of Indian military doctors to countries like Nepal, the Maldives and Kuwait to help local administrations draw up plans to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV2 that causes covid-19.
India has also taken this opportunity to be a leader in the training of doctors and other medical staff for its neighbours
Indian Doctors and medical specialists have been conducting on-line training camps of doctors and medical staff of the SAARC countries.

India has a history of providing medical and pharmaceutical support to African nations and has continued to do so during the pandemic.
Its outreach to regions of Latin America and the Caribbean has bolstered the already robust presence of Indian pharmaceutical sector in the region and has made further in-roads in region.
In regions like the Middle- East this act of medical diplomacy would add another facet to a relationship which had previously based itself on energy security and diaspora.

India lending a helping hand comes in the midst of nations around the world questioning the role played by China
China’s exporting of much needed protective gear and testing kits have been reported faulty by many countries.
Then are have been questions about whether China has been fully transparent about the emergence and the spread of the SARS-CoV2

India’s proactive approach during this crisis, whether in terms of setting the global agenda or evacuating people in distress from most infected areas to using its pharma heft for global good, will have a long term impact on how the world views India.
Indian response may not have been perfect, but it has certainly underscored that when needed, India can certainly rise up to the challenge of managing global crises with a sense of purpose.