Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
4. How diverse was the impact of two Covid-19 waves on India’s diplomacy? What are the trials India faces in the near future in dealing with the fallout of the pandemic? Explain. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article highlights the contrast in India’s diplomacy during the first wave of the pandemic and the second wave. It also discusses the challenges ahead for India.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is about the impact that covid-19 has left upon the Indian diplomacy.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with present conditions of covid-19 in the country.
Body:
Explain the India’s diplomatic structure in two Covid waves. In the past month, the focus for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Missions abroad has shifted.
During the first wave of the pandemic, focus was on coordinating exports of COVID-19 medicines, flights to repatriate Indians abroad through the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ after the lockdown, and then exporting vaccines worldwide- ‘Vaccine Maitri’.
After the second wave, Covid Diplomacy 2.0 has a different order of tasks, both in the immediate and the long term.
Discuss various dimensions of vaccine diplomacy taken up India amidst the two waves.
Conclusion:
Conclude that With its seat at the UN Security Council as non-permanent member and its position on WHO’s Executive Board, India could seek to regain the footing it has lost over the past few months of COVID-19 mismanagement, by taking a lead role in ensuring the world is protected from the next such pandemic.
