Introduction
India has always emphasized its commitment to enhancing collaboration and assistance with its neighboring countries in South Asia, positioning itself as a significant regional force. It has implemented various initiatives and aid programs to encourage regional growth, stability, and integration in the South Asian area due to common history, cultural links, and geographic closeness. However, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has had a significant impact on regional and global dynamics, necessitating a reassessment of goals and plans for all nations.
This study aims to compare and analyze India’s assistance to South Asian nations before and after the Covid-19 epidemic. It seeks to shed light on shifts in India’s strategy, the volume of help provided, and the efficacy of assistance during these specific time periods. By analyzing these shifts, we can gain insights into the structure of India’s regional participation and its capacity to respond to disasters within and outside its borders.
Before the pandemic, India had a “neighbourhood first” strategy and took a proactive stance towards its South Asian neighbors. The focus was on advancing connectivity, fostering economic cooperation, and addressing shared issues such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change. India supported various fields including infrastructure development, capacity building, education, healthcare, and disaster management. India actively engaged in regional forums and talks, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), to facilitate communication and collaboration among member states. India also demonstrated its commitment to regional integration through bilateral agreements and initiatives like the construction of Iran’s Chabahar port, aimed at promoting commerce and connectivity.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges that forced nations worldwide to reassess their objectives. India also faced an increase in cases, strained healthcare system, and economic disruption. As a result, India had to reevaluate its assistance to South Asian nations and focus its resources and talents on resolving domestic issues. Nevertheless, India continued to provide assistance to its neighbors throughout the epidemic, including medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and knowledge-sharing on healthcare crisis management. However, there are concerns about the influence of such assistance on regional dynamics and India’s status as a regional leader, given that the scope and nature of aid could be impacted by domestic issues.
This research aims to compare India’s assistance to South Asian nations before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, shedding light on shifting priorities, aid effectiveness, and India’s overall involvement in the region. The study’s results will help clarify India’s position as a key player in the region, its crisis management capabilities, and its potential to promote regional cooperation and development. The study covers the methodology used, the results obtained, and the significance of the study for policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders in South Asia.
Assessing the shifts in India’s assistance to South Asian nations will help identify areas for improvement, enhance the region’s adaptability, and promote closer collaboration in dealing with new challenges.
India’s foreign policy strategy includes supporting neighboring nations, particularly Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, as they are geographically, historically, and culturally connected to India. The region’s cooperation and prosperity depend on the growth and stability of these countries. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted regional and global dynamics, requiring a review of strategy and goals. This study aims to explain the changes in strategy, levels of aid, and aid effectiveness by comparing India’s assistance to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan before and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, India’s assistance to these nations covered multiple fields, including infrastructure development, commerce and investment, education, healthcare, capacity development, and cultural exchanges. Projects such as infrastructure development, energy cooperation, and capacity building were part of India’s engagement with Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, India focused on cross-border collaboration, connectivity initiatives, and trade facilitation. In Nepal, India provided aid for infrastructure improvement, healthcare, education, and disaster management. In Bhutan, India supported infrastructural development, hydroelectric projects, and cultural interactions.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to India and its neighbors. India faced its own internal crises, including an increase in Covid-19 cases and a strained healthcare system, requiring the reallocation of resources to address domestic issues. Similar challenges were also present in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Despite the challenges, India continued to provide assistance to these nations throughout the pandemic, including knowledge-sharing on healthcare crisis management, medical supplies, financial help, and humanitarian aid. The limitations faced by all nations, such as logistical difficulties, resource constraints, and shifting domestic priorities, may have influenced the volume and type of aid provided.
This study aims to compare pre-and post-Covid-19 Indian assistance to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, examining the effectiveness of aid in addressing health, economic, and social challenges. It will consider the scope of aid, coordination processes, and overall effectiveness. The study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of available data on aid disbursements, trade flows, and project implementation with qualitative evaluation through interviews and case studies. The research will also consider the perspectives of these nations and evaluate their experiences, levels of satisfaction, and expectations regarding India’s assistance. It aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy and impact of Indian aid on international relations and development objectives.
The results of this comparative research will clarify how India’s assistance to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan has changed before and during the Covid-19 outbreak. It intends to offer valuable insights for decision-makers, academics, and beneficiaries in these nations to foster collaboration, identify areas for improvement, and enhance bilateral ties. By understanding the changes in India’s assistance to these nations, policymakers can develop plans to meet new demands, promote sustainable development, and enhance resilience in the face of future challenges.
Comparing India’s assistance to South Asian nations before and after COVID-19 reveals several factors that have influenced the strategy, volume of aid, and effectiveness of support. Prior to the pandemic, India focused on long-term development initiatives such as infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and capacity building. However, the pandemic shifted attention toward crisis response and immediate healthcare needs.
The importance of digital connectivity has also emerged during the pandemic, highlighting the need for improved digital infrastructure and internet access. Post-COVID assistance from India may include programs to bridge the digital gap and promote teleworking, education, and healthcare.
India’s contribution to vaccine diplomacy has been significant during the pandemic, providing COVID-19 vaccines to South Asian nations. This has not only addressed the region’s vaccine requirements but also fostered diplomatic connections and showcased India as a reliable partner in times of crisis.
Economic recovery has been a priority in the post-COVID assistance from India, with a focus on restarting trade, investment, and regional commerce. Efforts to lower barriers, enhance economic cooperation, and promote regional prosperity have been undertaken to assist South Asian nations in overcoming the economic challenges posed by the pandemic.
Lessons learned from the pandemic, such as readiness, response strategies, and future collaboration, can inform policy and enhance regional resilience and healthcare systems. It is important to identify gaps, difficulties, and opportunities for increased regional collaboration in order to effectively manage future crises.
The effectiveness of regional cooperation frameworks like SAARC in coordinating pandemic responses can be evaluated through comparative analysis. India’s role as a regional leader in fostering cooperation and solidarity can be assessed, along with the level of collaboration, information exchange, and cooperative activities among South Asian nations.
In summary, a comparative analysis of India’s assistance to South Asian nations before and after the Covid-19 outbreak considers factors such as the shift in focus, digital connectivity, vaccine diplomacy, economic recovery, lessons learned, and regional collaboration. This analysis provides insights into the changing patterns of regional cooperation and growth, guiding policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders toward a more resilient, interconnected, and prosperous South Asia.
Viraj Madusanka Dias Sooriyaarachchi
(Viraj Madusanka Dias Sooriyaarachchi is an accomplished writer who produces original, unique essays and articles on a variety of subjects. His goal is to offer thoughts, ideas, and facts in a distinctive and interesting way while also giving readers new insight and information on a range of subjects. His undergraduate degree, a B.com (hons) in marketing and management, was completed with a distinction of first-class and a 9.17 cumulative grade point average. He also finished a Coursera online course, a rural internship in India, and an assistant marketing manager internship at a tea firm in Sri Lanka.)
References
- https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/South%20Asia%20Covid-19%20Paper_5.pdf
- https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/143%20Final-Prerana%20Manral-India_0.pdf
- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.04.21256590v1.full
- https://cprindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/India-as-the-Engine-of-Recovery-for-South-Asia.pdf
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/india-spent-billions-in-aid-for-sri-lanka-how-this-can-now-help-counter-china-101672148555797.html
- https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/world-news-covid-19-didnt-dent-india-sri-lanka-ties-looking-at-post-pandemic-cooperation-s-jaishankar/369659
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0971523121999293
