COVID-19 impact on India: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The world is still witnessing adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that is shattering the entire world. The virus ripped apart the global economy like never before leading to low growth rates in the largest economies of China, the United States (US), Japan, India, and in many others. The world has come out of the great lockdown, but there is no sign of recovery and the COVID-19 threat is still looming. The pandemic hit the global economy so hard that it will probably take nearly a decade to restore the normality worldwide. Reports show that China is getting cornered by multinational companies, many of which have signalled intention of shifting their production base from China and are now in search for alternative locations. This research paper explores the effects of the pandemic on the global society, with particular focus on India and the measures taken by its government in response to pandemic-related challenges. The paper claims that if India manoeuvres its foreign policy by properly balancing its domestic and external priorities, it will play a most prominent role in the emerging international order.