India’s Ambassador to China Vikram Misri on Monday said that one of the biggest takeaways of the COVID-19 pandemic has to be more international cooperation, particularly as countries get increasingly interconnected.
In his article published in a Hong Kong based newspaper, Mr. Misri said, while engaging with an emerging multipolar global order, India will continue to give the utmost attention to its immediate neighborhood, where its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, based on non-reciprocity, is creating the basis for shared activities.
Ambassador Misri in his article reiterated that along with the neighborhood, India’s extended neighborhood has been an integral part of its history and heritage.
India’s engagement has unfolded through an ‘Act East’ policy and Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Sagar for the Indo-Pacific, which provides a template to engage with our maritime neighbours.India has vigorously promoted its engagements with SCO since becoming its member in 2017. India’s expanded Malabar exercise is another example of its outreach.
Mr. Misri noted that the world needs more trusted and capable players in view of trade, investment and supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. COVID-19 demonstrated that India can respond quickly and vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”is a manifestation of India’s capabilities which will also be of great benefit to the world.
Rising to the challenge, the government immediately stepped-up production of the PPE and vaccines needed to control the pandemic, and has also implemented reforms in labour, agriculture and education.
India ramped up its production, exporting medicines and other medical assistance to over 150 countries in a short span of time.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed that India will leverage its vaccine manufacturing capacities to help make vaccines accessible and affordable to all.
