COVID-19 is changing the form of international diplomacy along with the domestic preferences of the countries. The US has been at the helm since the Cold War on the global diplomacy front and its ability to change global politics. But now, just as public healthcare is going to be strongly involved in the priority of different countries, in the same way, many fluctuations can be seen in international forums. It is possible that in the coming days, countries like India will appear in a new leadership role.
The Healthcare State Of The US And China Has Affected Their Global Role
The new coronavirus has exposed the vulnerability of the US, especially on the healthcare front. How the spread of this infection is increasing and the scale on which people are dying is alarming as well as shocking even though the US healthcare ranks first in the Global Health Index. The coronavirus crisis is an indication that despite all the amenities, there are many shortcomings in the US regarding public health.
Now, there will be an attempt to remove them. Also, the demand for social security will increase there. There has already been a problem of unemployment, which may deepen in the coming days. The natural pressure will be on the US President to overcome these domestic problems.
Of course, the US has a special emphasis on the military, space science, or new technology, but it is also true that the preparations that it had made to avoid biological epidemics remained that way. As such, the US will review its policies again. In the matter of business, ‘America First’ has been its top priority, so it can now be seen working under the same policy regarding the prevention of biological epidemics. It is also possible to retain his leadership role, he should pay more attention to robotics and artificial intelligence.
Similarly, China’s global role may also change in the coming days. Beijing was moving fast on its Belt Road Initiative (BRI) these days. But the trend so far is that in countries where BRI projects were being worked out, there has been more infection of Covid-19. This has given a big push to these projects. Since the spread of the virus began when China was engulfed in the New Year’s reception, when people returned to their workplace by celebrating the New Year, they also brought the Coronavirus with them.
As a result, the infection of the virus has been much higher in the countries which are closer to China. Now, it is also seen that after winning its war of coronavirus, the quality of the countries in which China sent medical equipment was up to 40% poor. Many European countries have openly expressed their displeasure over this. This may lead to skepticism in China’s products in the future as well.
The Reeling Effect Of Covid-19 On South Asia
Talking about South Asia, the Pakistani strategy may have a long-term impact on the region. Pakistan is working on a strategy to keep its infected patients in PoK (Pak Occupied Kashmir) and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Since the people of these areas have been opposing the projects of China and they have also been angry with the Pakistani rulers, Islamabad’s move forward on its strategy may negatively affect the geopolitics of the South Asian region.
It is clear that in the coming days, various sectors such as Belt Road Initiative, Global Communication, Aviation, Port Industry are to be affected. Especially the crisis of the tourism industry will remain for a long time. The appearance of the hotel industry can also change.
It is quite possible that in the coming days, the tourists should remain in isolation in the order of travel or carry their security equipment along. In such a situation, there will be challenges and opportunities for India.
At present, the top priority of the government of India is to defeat Covid-19. But how the workers from the metros started moving towards their villages at the beginning of the lockdown, because of this, a new policy has to be made here on social security. The government will have to do special work to end the agrarian crisis. You will have to make suitable arrangements to use rural labour in the village or nearby cities. Similarly, there will be a need to work on the strength of educational institutions. There are challenges of healthcare.
Speaking of opportunity, India can fill the void created in global diplomacy. We are also ready for this. We are at the forefront of software development. It can be used in our interest. It would be beneficial for us to move forward in robotics and artificial intelligence. Similarly, recently our government took a good initiative to connect the heads of government of SAARC member countries with video conferencing.
The Prime Minister also showed his global leadership potential at the meeting of the G-20 countries. This is the reason that many countries of the world have started talking about India’s leadership role in the new globalization. The central government needs to work on something concrete in matters of healthcare and then all the countries of the world will give the example of India.