23 March 2020, NIICE Commentary 3515
Dr Aditi Paul
With pneumonia-like symptoms occurring in the people of Wuhan in the month of December 2019, China made no delay in alerting the World Health Organization (WHO) of this novel kind of virus that has now become a global health emergency. Coronavirus has spread to 186 countries of the world, with a dreadful milestone of reported cases of infected patients amounting to 294,110 and counting, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared pandemic by WHO with no available vaccinations or anti-viral treatments.
In such a case, the trending behavioral trait made mandatory worldwide by the directives of the state heads as a preventive method for COVID-19 are “suspend normal social order”, “stay at home”, “quarantine”, “social distancing” and “lockdown”. Emphasizing on human security and reassessing the priorities of a healthy life for all, people are now requested to not leave their homes for work or education, restrict overseas travels, and maintain strict personal hygiene to “flatten the curve”. Thereon, all entertainment venues, malls and other shopping complexes, gyms, movie theatres, restaurants, etc. are closed with the intention to discourage any large gathering and movement of people, and the subsequent disbursement of the virus.
Amidst the universal spread of the infection, South Asia is no exception to this serious disorder and all the 8 states, namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives have reported active cases of COVID-19 in their territory. As of 23 March 2020, WHO reports that Pakistan notified 646 cases, India 341, Sri Lanka 72, Bangladesh 24, Afghanistan 34, Maldives 13, Bhutan 2, and Nepal 1. With one case reported that has recovered, Nepal is the only state in South Asia that has no active cases. In such a scenario, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ingenuity in practicing social distancing and holding a video conference on 15 March 2020, also known as Video Summit, featured all the eight Head of the State of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The virtual conference devising a cooperative solution for the safety and security of South Asians with a tagline – Coming Together Not Growing Apart; Collaboration Not Confusion; Preparation Not Panic – not just highlighted the pressing need of the hour but also sheds some light on the otherwise paralyzed regional organization marred by political disputes.
Established in 1985, SAARC is the only regional organization uniting all the eight states of South Asia. With a focus on human security, SAARC has since then been an apolitical union that strives for socio-cultural development and intra-regional trade interdependence. However, political discrepancies have hindered the realization of the lofty ideals framed by the founders of SAARC. Nevertheless, due to the human security challenges that the region is facing nowadays, the coming together of the SAARC for determining appropriate healthcare facilities in the significantly populated region is a noteworthy moment.
At a time when the entire world is devising solutions to the pandemic that has no definite dimension, video conference to discuss COVID-19 has become the first responsible step. For instance, ASEAN Plus Three with representatives of WHO gathered for it on 3 February, Minister of Nordic Council held it on 18 March, Southern African Development Community (SADC) organized it on 19 March, EU-ASEAN convened it on 20 March, and the same day China invited Eurasian and South Asian countries for a video conference.
After boycotting the 19th SAARC Summit to be held in 2017 due to the dismal Pathankot and Uri terrorist incidents, in this one-of-a-kind video conferencing Modi highlighted the measures that India has adopted, such as, evacuating Indians from affected countries, screening of people prior to entry into the Indian territory, laying restrictions on unnecessary travels to abroad, extended training to medical staffs, increasing diagnostic capabilities, and using media for raising awareness among public. Modi then suggested that SAARC nations must create COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on voluntary contributions from each of the members. India has offered to deposit 10 million USD for usage in corona virus affected areas. In addition, a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists from India will be envisaged with testing kits to be utilized for immediate action, and online training facilities for medical practitioners to equip the emergency staff in other South Asian states proposed. With no hesitation to share the India-made Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal with it’s neighbors and a hope for developing a common research organization that can explore and control epidemic diseases in South Asia, India has truly spearheaded the role of a big-brother, a label that has been levied with negative connotations with relation to India and its hegemonic role in South Asia.
The response from India’s neighbors is praiseworthy. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani lamented on the open borders with Iran and the high probability of being affected by COVID-19. He proposed “modeling diffusion patterns, creation of common framework for telemedicine and greater cooperation”. Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih offered his heartfelt thanks to India for sending medical assistance as well as evacuating nine Maldivian natives from Wuhan. Subsequently, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed gratitude to India for evacuating 23 Bangladeshi students from Wuhan and said that continued communication is critical amongst the health ministers and secretaries of the region. Others, namely, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering resonated India’s thoughts on planning actions and working collectively and strategize actions at the region level.
The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan absent from the video conferencing, in the words of a former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran mentioned, “If Pakistan now drags its feet, then the onus will be on him for weakening the Association”. Nevertheless, it is no excuse to not take steps to reinvigorate a regional organization that has its rooting on social issues. COVID-19 is one such virus that has united humanity against a common threat wherein there is no regard for race, ethnicity, religion, language, culture or region. In such a case, there is need to discard the narrow strategy of fighting coronavirus nationally and work beyond borders. What India initiated is laudable, but exchange of information is not a macro-level coordinated action plan and much more needs to be done in terms of research, investment, preparedness and treatment. At a time when the European Union (EU) is making use of its Civil Protection Mechanism, decided to create a common European reserve of emergency medical equipment and at the same time, is funding research projects for understanding the virus and its vaccines, and encouraging public-private partnerships to develop treatments, the coming together of SAARC for formulating advanced and result-oriented approaches can be a catalyst in building regionalism in South Asia.
