Although health diplomacy will arm China with additional soft power arsenals, but efforts can be hamstringed by disinformation campaign regarding the origin of lethal virus and ambiguity in the number of asymptomatic patients by an aspiring world leader. China needs to overcome the trust-deficit challenge as well. ...
The US-Taliban agreement has tough road ahead and needs cooperation from the entire Afghan section for it to result in peace in the country. The US has been at the forefront of the 'democracy drive' in West Asia, but surprisingly, they have not asked Taliban to distance itself from violence outside Afghanistan. ...
India should take lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic situation of the US and Europe. It should upgrade the existing health system with adequate equipment, staff and infrastructure. The Government should immediately scale up its expenditure in healthcare from 3.5 percent to 5 percent of its GDP. ...
The countries are still struggling to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, hence, economists are still uncertain about the size of the economic damage, but it is certain that it will be huge. Thus, the governments have to quickly take increasingly bold anti-recession measures that will ‘flatten the recession curve’. ...
The countries should learn from each other to overcome this pandemic. They should also give more importance to public health and strengthen the international organisations like WHO with more resources. India can also play a huge role in fighting this global pandemic. ...
Japan, being a technological power, has been at the forefront of developing a vaccine Avigan against the COVID-19. Prime Minister Abe, who has been the longest serving Prime Minister, with experience of working at the toughest of times, has given confidence to the people of Japan. ...
India is an economic and military power, which can propel India in the direction of global power heterogeneity composing of multipolarity. India can also occupy the global supply chain of pharmaceutical production in the world. ...
Perception towards China plays a great role in the spread of conspiracy theories, and reinforcement of counterknowledege. However, if we counter conspiracy theories with facts and logical question, they will fall flat. We should investigate mishandling of the situation by China initially, but at the same time we should be ready to hear the narrative of another side as well and extend help to other countries in this time of distress. ...
The role of a global leader is to maintain status quo, global order, create institutions at the international level. While it is too early to predict who will emerge the global order post COVID-19, the world will be less open, less prosperous and less free. It is also evident that there will be a shift from the West to the East with China claiming greater role at global table. ...
COVID-19 and the Unset in the New Brave World Order
China has seen an opportunity even in this crisis. It has proudly showcased their ability to handle such crisis that even several western countries are not able to respond properly. Similarly, it has continued to bolster its naval power even in times of crisis which bodes a competitive tendency in the New International Order rather than cooperation based on softer realms. ...