New Delhi:
India is currently facing a massive surge in COVID-19 infections. The country on Wednesday added a record over 3.75 lakh new coronavirus cases in a single day. As India’s health care system has collapsed due to shortages of intensive care beds, medical supplies and oxygen, these debilitating numbers are attached with a reasonable scare that we haven’t seen the worst yet.
India is now ‘in urgent need of’ help from the international community, especially from America, its intimate friend and strategic partner with shared values, while American President Joe Biden had invoked the war-time Defense Production Act (DPA) that leaves US companies with no option but to give priority to the production of COVID-19 vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for domestic production, banning export of raw materials essential for vaccine production and turning a deaf ear to India’s desperation for help.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1- India now should be more aware that India is leaning on America too much and it is losing its independence and self-reliance in economic development and foreign policies
2- India is now ‘in urgent need of’ help from the international community, especially from America, while American President Joe Biden had invoked the war-time Defense Production Act that leaves US companies with no option but to give priority to the production of COVID-19 vaccines and PPEs for domestic production
After several rounds of ‘negotiations’, the Biden administration agreed to supply some materials to India. Don’t you think there is anyone who believes it can reflect the strategic relationship, let alone we don’t think the US will send enough goods on time. The people of India need substantial actions, rather than empty gestures and hypocrisy.
Facing the ingratitude, 1.3 billion Indians will remember who eventually stood by them in the hour of their urgent need. India now should be more aware that India is leaning on America too much and it is losing its independence and self-reliance in economic development and foreign policies, which makes India more disappointed in America’ reluctance to offer help. As BJP spoke-person reportedly mentioned, India’s official information has never mentioned an alliance with the United States. It did not exist in the past, and it does not exist now. India hopes to continue to pursue an independent foreign policy. India needs to attach more importance to self-development.
(Author Ms. Vasundhara Pandey is Secretary of South & East Asia Foundation. She is an independent researcher who critically examines the problem faced by the country and tries to develop a coherent policy response and through her organization SEAF. The opinion expressed in the write-up are her personal views)
