At a time when America’s role is tragically missing and as the world steps up its scrutiny of China, global leadership is suffering from a crisis. It is India that can step in to fill this void in leadership.

Great powers in different points in history have a history of a tussle for enforcing their vision of an ideal society, economy, and thinking, and this has put humanity at risk. The first and second world wars demonstrated these horrific consequences. The lacunae in global leadership have become most glaring in the ongoing US-China tussle over the origin of the COVID-19 and other related issues. This bickering between the world’s two biggest economies is emblematic of the fact that humanity is the common loser in these trying times. 

At a time when China and the US should join hands to combat the common threat of a virus that has wreaked havoc on humanity, they are busy quibbling amongst themselves. These incidents not only put a serious dent on the collective ability of nation-states to put their differences aside and work together but create a deep schism in the global response of putting up a united front against COVID-19.

A serious dearth in global leadership has emerged during this pandemic. The European Union is virtually absent as it grapples with the rising death toll and the debilitating impact on its economies owing to the highly contagious virus, Russia grapples with its own set of problems, while the Gulf countries are struggling hard to keep their economies afloat amidst the resulting oil demand glut and price crash. All these situations have led to a serious crisis at the global level. 

China also is not faring better. Australia and other European countries have raised red flags over the predatory nature of Chinese companies taking over foreign companies due to their weak financial position - one of the many issues the Chinese leadership apparatus is grappling with.  Also, China is exporting kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) to other countries in substantial numbers, but the quality of these products are substandard, leading to many countries putting a ban on them, and shipping them from elsewhere. All these problems have raised credibility issues about the ability of the dragon to lead the world in these trying times.

As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. India is the country that can steer the world through these difficult times. It can be done in the same way, India resurrected the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) grouping. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead and held a SAARC meeting through a videoconference summit to discuss a united South Asian approach to fight COVID-19. It shows immense potential in India’s leadership. When narrow jingoistic nationalism seems to have a new normal in the developed countries, India is leading by example. The export of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to over 50 countries has shown that India knows how to use myriad ways of uniting humanity in these trying times.

Foreign policy and global policy experts have unanimously predicted that the 2020s will be the “Asian century”. The exemplary leadership India has shown can very well lead to the establishment of India leading a global order. China’s discomfiture could just be the ‘tide in the affairs of men’ for India. The situation is an opportunity for India to “rediscover manufacturing prowess”.  China may not lose relevance as a destination for global businesses overnight. Therefore, for India to seize the moment would require proper planning. 

Economically, India can emerge as the new leader, although the national lockdown has hit the Indian economy hard with businesses registering huge losses in the initial days of the lockdown. But India is not the only one. The crippling impact of the pandemic is taking a toll on economies globally. China’s economy contracted significantly for the first time since the 1960s, the US unemployment rate is at a record high, and Europe is in the grip of its worst recession since the Great Economic Depression of the 1930s. IMF has predicted that the Indian economy will grow at 1.9 percent in the fiscal year 2020 and will rebound to 7.4 percent in the fiscal year 2021-2022. 

Certain steps that India can take to emerge economically advantageous position after the pandemic are:

Firstly, projecting India as an attractive and extremely lucrative destination for companies to invest by reforming the labor laws; streamlining GST system and reducing bureaucratic red tape would bolster business prospects in the country.

Secondly, decongesting the judicial system by giving more power to Lok Adalats, increasing the age of retirement age of judges would help in reducing litigation in the courts of the country which will help in improving India’s image.

Thirdly, providing tax holidays, setting special economic zones (SEZ), reforming the export promotion schemes will give India a much needed boost to India’s image as a land of economic opportunities.

India has the capability, will power and resources to tide over the crisis and can help her fellow countries come out strong in these trying times. A “Pax Indica” world order seems to be very much possible.

(The writer is a student of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata)