Considering the fact that all the South Asian member states are highly prone to hydro-meteorological and geological hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, heat waves, avalanches and tsunamis, the topic will bring into attention the issues relating to disaster, the aftermath and the adopted policies and dealings. When it comes to the economic vulnerability countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh illustrates the largest losses, where poverty exposed population and absence of preparedness can be accredited to the susceptibility to the disasters precipitated by natural hazards.
The SAARC Centre for Disaster Management and Preparedness, SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre and SAARC Meteorological Research Centre should be entrusted to work together with member countries implementing the framework in context of regional cooperation within the mandate of the respective Regional Centre ...
The governments, along with the activists, should put the safety of blue collared workers in the Gulf on priority. Similarly, in the long run, a plan needs to be drawn out for rehabilitation of workers, who want to return to South Asia ...
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 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 ...
Bangladesh is over populated with poor health facilities which make the people of the region vulnerable, exposed and impuissant to this invisible enemy. The announcement of stimulus package to fight COVID-19 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was essential to fight the pandemic. ...
India came up with the joint framework, but must ensure that all member states have equal standing in setting the terms of the response, regardless of how much they are contributing. Else, SAARC is bound to relapse into hibernation ...
South Korea: Election in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemi ...
There are two key takeaways from this election, first, South Korea is supremely advanced when it comes to the application of its technical know-how and second, the highest turnout of voters indicates the faith of the electorate on the political system ...