New Delhi: As the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm, countries across the globe are rushing to vaccinate their population on an immediate basis. With this, vaccine diplomacy has become one of the key factors of geopolitics for countries around the world. Countries like Russia, China, United States and India are seen using vaccine diplomacy as a tool for their foreign policy agenda.
Most recently, Russia is seeking to gain from its vaccine, Sputnik V. With India approving the usage of the Russian-made vaccine, Sputnik V has become the first foreign-made vaccine to be used in India contributing to the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This has augmented Russia’s vaccine diplomacy in the region.
On Sunday, Russian ambassador to India N Kudashev announced that production of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V is expected to increase up to 850 million doses per year in India. He also said that there are plans to introduce Sputnik V Light - Russia’s single-dose COVID vaccine - soon in India.
Also read: Russia to introduce single-dose Sputnik Lite in India soon
When asked if India’s decision to administer Sputnik V vaccine for use is a win for Russia’s soft power diplomacy, Professor Harsh V Pant, Director, Research, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi said, "India’s decision to opt for Sputnik V is a function of India’s attempt to soar up vaccine supplies. Since Russia has been able to partner with India on this vaccine, therefore, India has opted for that. I don’t think this can be seen as a big factor in terms of soft power diplomacy for Russia. But Russia is a historical partner of India and in this case, it offered help and India took help. But certainly, the vaccine diplomacy is important as far as Indo-Russia relations are concerned."
Is Russia-China vaccine cooperation gaining momentum?
Most recently, Russia is seen turning to multiple Chinese firms to manufacture the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to speed up production as demand soars for its shot. Also, Russia has announced three deals totalling 260 million doses with Chinese vaccine companies in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, as India’s vaccine diplomacy took a downturn with the country battling the second wave of the pandemic amidst the shortage of oxygen, medical aid, vaccine etc, China steps in to take advantage of its failed vaccine policy.
China has been competing to make a mark in the global community in terms of vaccination and now has been twisting the arm of smaller countries like Bangladesh. Last week, China delivered half a million Sinopharm vaccine to Bangladesh to feel the gap India left as the country reels under an acute shortage.
Also read: Apollo Hospitals begins administering Sputnik V in Hyderabad
Professor Harsh V Pant further added, “Certainly, Russia is turning towards China and the relationship is growing in multiple ways. Russia sees China as a very important partner in its attempt to manage western animosity but Russia also wants to retain its independence from China. Therefore, Russia’s relationship with India is important. But by and large, on the vaccine, Russia is likely to use China’s manufacturing heft to push its vaccine forward given that China’s vaccine has not been very successful in the global market and by China’s admission do not have great efficiency. It means that Russia and China might potentially collaborate where more and more Chinese units produce Russian vaccine which is effective and both collaborate in terms of their diplomatic outreach across the world.
Who will lead the race in vaccine diplomacy?
When asked as to who will lead the race in vaccine diplomacy and the United States' position on the same, Professor Pant opined that America is likely to push its vaccines over the next few months. Also, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson both have done well in the American market. “But the concern is that as the virus is mutating, one needs a vaccine that can target variants. So, countries would go for the vaccine which might give them the greatest possible protection against the greatest range of threat and that remains to be seen. Therefore, certainly, Russia and the United States would be competing in the vaccine diplomacy space. But America’s policy is mainly focused on managing the domestic situation and once that is stabilized, we will see a greater attempt by America to move to the global market as far its vaccine diplomacy is concerned”, he explained.
Notably, Biden led-US administration is eventually seen getting America in vaccine diplomacy race as supply rise from different countries. Earlier this month, the white house announced that the United States will be sending 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to other countries starting from June 2021.
