India�s Neighbourhood Vaccine Diplomacy During COVID-19 Pandemic: Humanitarian and Geopolitical Perspectives

Abstract

In recent years, India has established itself as the world�s �pharmacy hub�, and this claim was proven once again when it delivered COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens, neighbouring nations and across the globe. Following the philosophy of humanitarianism through the principle of �Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam�, India has decided to provide the COVID-19 health assistance to its immediate neighbouring countries. India�s immediate neighbourhood refers to the countries that are geographically adjacent to it. In addition, India�s vaccine diplomacy has exposed geopolitical fault lines in South Asia as China�s vaccine diplomacy aims to outpace India in the region. Against this background, the main objective of this paper is to explain and examine India�s vaccine diplomacy as an instrument of its �Neighbourhood First� policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that India�s health-focused approach has proved effective and aligned with its national interests. This review demonstrates that India�s health diplomacy has had an impact on medical and humanitarian assistance reciprocation at the regional and international levels. As a result of this strategy, during the second wave of the pandemic, India received medical devices and vaccines from other countries in dealing with COVID-19. � The Author(s) 2022.