Health Diplomacy in Post Covid -19 World: India’s Soft Power Option

Abstract

Diplomacy, the art and science of furthering one’s national interest through tact and perseverance, has found its way back into national agendas in recent years. As the number of problems without borders increases, so does the need for cooperation and diplomacy. Climate change, terrorism and migration have all been problems that cannot be resolved with hard power. The soft power aspects of statecraft have become all the more important. Soft power and diplomacy have the potential to convert the challenges of the pandemic into opportunities. During the time of the pandemic, India, popularly known as the world’s pharmacy hub, provided health assistance to various countries. In this context, this article explores the strategic benefits that the Government of India can achieve by leveraging and materializing the opportunities provided by health diplomacy at the international level through the prism of soft power.