Understandingly, it has become important to analyze the spread of coronavirus and its impact on the economy of small islands especially Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros. These islands, which are favorite tourist posts and foreign investors, have also closely diverse geopolitical relationship with the world.

It comes into spectacular focus for this research study, although in general, the islands seem to have the lowest cases of the pandemic, and efforts taken in preparedness against the disease, and the possible effects on their economies and sociocultural lives of the population. Part of the research and monitoring is presented here in three headings as follows: (i) The Islands and Coronavirus: An Overview, (ii) Economic Impact of Coronavirus on these Islands and (iii) Current Scenarios and Lessons for the Future.

The Islands and Coronavirus: An OverviewThe coronavirus disease appeared first in 2019 in Wuhan city in China. The disease was, first identified in Wuhan and Hubei, both in China early December 2019. The original cause still unknown but its symptoms include high body temperature with persistent dry cough and acute respiratory syndrome. Some medical researchers say it is a pneumonia-related disease.

Late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of the disease in the city of Wuhan in China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus named COVID-19 by the WHO have spread around the world. WHO declared the outbreak to be an international health concern only on 30 January, and then recognized it as a pandemic on 11 March 2020.

The basic transmission mechanisms of the coronavirus are the same worldwide. But the speed and pattern of spread definitely varies from country to country, urban to rural and place to place. It depends on cultural practices, traditional customs and social lifestyles. A densely populated township can have a different trajectory to a middle-class suburb or a village. The epidemic can spread differently and among nomadic peoples.

There have been claims that this coronavirus may not likely survive in hot countries due to the tropical climate in these regions, yet cases of this virus are already confirmed in these tropical countries. There are officially confirmed coronavirus cases on the islands of Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles.

On the Cape Verde, about 300 miles (483 kilometers) off the west coast of Senegal, consists of 10 islands and five islets, all but three of which are mountainous. The island has a total of 55 reported cases among its half a million population, according to the Cape Verdes Public Health National Institute.

Mauritius is a very small island far away from China and yet greatly affected by the coronavirus. Mauritius is a country reliant on tourism. The sector accounts for roughly a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Since the first three case investigated and confirmed on 18 March, Mauritius now has 324, including 65 recoveries and 9 death, according to the Health Ministry.

On 15 April 2020, no new cases were reported, three patients who recovered from the coronavirus agreed to donate their blood through Plasmapheresis, according to the official coronavirus website of the Health Ministry.

Maldives, officially referred to as the Republic of Maldives, is a small island in South Asia, located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. Its population, one of the most geographically dispersed, is nearly 400,000 and the island attracts many foreign tourists throughout the year.

The disease got to Maldives on 7 March 2020 from an Italian tourist who had returned to Italy after spending holidays in Kuredu Resort & Spa. Thereafter, the Health Protection Agency of the Maldives confirmed two more cases in the Maldives, both employees of the resort. Following this, the hotel was closed down, several tourists stranded on the island.

On 27 March, the government announced the first confirmed case of a Maldivian citizen with COVID-19, a passenger who had returned from the United Kingdom. And that brought the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 16; there are other 15 foreign citizens. Thus, in April the figured climbed to 28 cases.

Seychelles, located in the Indian Ocean, reported its first two cases on 14 March. The two cases were people who were in contact with someone in Italy who tested positive. On 15 March, a third case arriving from The Netherlands was confirmed, and the next day, there were four confirmed cases, visitors from The Netherlands. As at 20 April, there are only 11 confirmed cases and two patients quickly recovered and have been released.

Vanuatu is a Pacific island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is east of northern Australia, nearer to New Guinea, Solomon and Fiji islands. Vanuatu has a population of approximately 250,000. All these islands mainstays of the economy are agriculture and tourism. They attract tourists throughout the year. As of 3 April 2020, it has no coronavirus but still vulnerable, if strict measures are not adopted. It, however, continues its surveillance.

There are five public hospitals, and one private hospital with 27 health centers located across the islands and more than 200 aid posts in more remote areas. The two major referral hospitals are located in Port Vila and Luganville in the country.

The Union of Comoros, an island nation to the east is Mozambique and northwest is Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, gained independence from France on 6 July 1975. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with 15 other regional member states. The Comoros share mostly African-Arab origins. It economic activities are the same as other ocean islands.

On 17 April, Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth, indicated that 269 people have been tested so far, 106 men and 163 women. The number of confirmed cases is still at 14 as the official counted figure. One has died, one is still in the hospital, 10 are safe and three are active. 18 are being actively monitored and 12 are still in quarantine because they returned to the island after the measures were announced

The Medical & Health Affairs Department (G &Gz) of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) keeps a close eye on how the new coronavirus spreads and behaves worldwide. The G &Gz team is in direct contact with Curaao Airport Partners (CAP), Curaao Tourist Board (CTB), Curaao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA), the Analytical Diagnostic Center (ADC), Curaao Medical Center (CMC) and Department of Immigration.

Here are the aforementioned coronavirus figures: Cape Verde (55), Mauritius (324), Maldives (28), Seychelles (11), Vanuatu (0) and the Union of Comoros (14), it would be erroneous to attribute tourism as the key reason for comparatively high numbers of cases in Mauritius. Of course, more Chinese are attracted there so as South Africans. There is propensity that the figures may not rise as the island governments have also taken strict control measures.

Economic Impact of Coronavirus on these IslandsThe already weak capacity of health care system on these four islands Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros is likely to exacerbate the pandemic and its impact on their economies. These islands coronavirus disease burden is not so different from each other. But in each case, the key factor is the economic models and what these mean for this circumstance.

As an example, Maldives took an admirable step in the health sector. The Maldivian government turned the resort island of Villivaru in the Kaafu Atoll into a quarantine facility, described as the worlds first coronavirus resort, where patients would enjoy a luxurious stay and free medical care. According to Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed, the Maldives had 2,288 beds available for quarantine as of late March 2020.

Obviously, other economic implications of the coronavirus are detrimental not only to public health systems but to trade and travel industry. On all the islands, small-scale agriculture that includes fishing, local industries as well as retail markets are largely affected. More than 80% of people in rural areas depend on subsistence farming for survival; however, restrictions on market activities would limit market access.

It is worth to say that both agriculture and fishing in these islands are conducted at subsistence level and for small-scale exports. Seafood is very popular and resultantly export of seafood is curtailed. The Maldives economy is dependent on tourism, which dropped severely due to travel restrictions amid the pandemic. Experts warned of an economic contraction and possible difficulties paying back foreign debt, especially to China.

Specifically, it is estimated that the shutdown implemented to control the pandemic costs the Mauritian economy about 5% of the countrys GDP for the full 15-day lockdown announced by government on 20 March. Later, there was sanitary curfew started on 23 March and was extended up to 15 April 2020. Now, the lockdown was again extended till 4 May to further contain the spread of the COVID-19 in Mauritius.

As already known, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros depend mostly on the travel industry. Due to the outbreak of this coronavirus, all these governments have imposed restrictions on travel to the islands that have the best climate and attractive beaches. Travel restriction imposed, thus paralyzing tourism industry in all the four islands.

The Government of Maldives and the Tourism Ministry of the Maldives with the guidance of the Health Protection Agency of the Maldives (HPA) placed a temporary travel restriction for the following countries to control new cases. Since then, there are no passengers (traffic) originating from, transiting to or with a travel history of said country/province is to be permitted into the Maldives. Maldivians and spouses of Maldivians who are foreign nationals are allowed in, but subject to observe quarantine measures.

The Cape Verdean authorities have closed all sea borders and stopped internal flights between the islands. Travelers are required to comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities. As a further step, the government has declared a state of emergency for the whole country until 17 April, the details of which can be found here (in Portuguese). This has activated a series of measures including significant restrictions on movement nationally and internationally.

However, all citizens have been instructed to remain at home unless they needed to carry out the following activities. These are: (i) to buy food or other essential items, (ii) to go to work if unable to work from home, (iii) to go to hospital or health centers, (iv) to carry out caring or similar duties or in case of real need, and (v) to walk pets. Cape Verdes Public Health National Institute pledged to help in cases of emergency.

Since the beginning of March, the Mauritian authorities have been conducting Contact Tracing: people who have been in contact with infected patients have been placed under quarantine, including doctors, nurses and police officers.

Seychelles banned any person from Seychelles from travelling to China, South Korea, Italy and Iran. These countries have high cases. An exception is made for returning residents, under similar rules taken by Cape Verde, Mauritius and Vanuatu.

The most significant remittances to Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros as a source of financial stability come from the islanders who work as temporary laborers around the world, disappeared. The Union of Comoros depends heavily on remittances. For instance, there are between 200,000 and 350,000 Comorians in France. Official statistics are hard to find especially most of the government sources and international organizations become inaccessible for required information.

There have been a steady development or facelift in the cities over the past years. A substantial process of urbanization is still unfolding in Cape Verde, especially to the cities of Praia and Mindelo. The same trend city;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold>s development and expansion in Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros.

Beyond all the points raised above, Dr Antipas Massawe, a former lecturer from the Department of Chemical and Mining Engineering, University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, East Africa, strongly insisted that the scale of the challenges facing the health sector is tremendous, it requires extensive investment of resources and governments have to direct focus on the sustainable solutions.

Charles Prempeh, a lecturer in Africana Studies at the African University College of Communications (AUCC), and a doctoral candidate at University of Cambridge, also explains in an email that there are deficiencies ranging from poor health policies through inadequate funding of health infrastructure to training and research that have characterized the health sector in Africa. Ocean islands have similar pitfalls or problems.

Amid the fast spreading coronavirus in some regions, it is simply providential that the African continent has not recorded high numbers, compared to the so-called western countries. But it is also true that even with the relatively smaller number of cases that most countries in Africa have recorded, there are deep-seated doubts that the health system can match squarely with the debilitating effect of the virus, as they have come under disproportionate strain, according to him.

The current situation is serious setback, both academics acknowledged. But further suggested that small island governments draw a long term development plan, make consistent efforts at mobilizing resources for realizing support for education, health and employment generating sectors, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Current Scenarios and Lessons for the FutureIt is time for solidarity, to fight the end the global health mess. The key lessons for epidemic response are to act fast but act locally. That is exactly what Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros are focusing on now.

But as the international response gains momentum, some financial assistance may be extended to these islands. The islands hospitals need testing kits, basic materials for hygiene, personal protective equipment for the professional health workers, and equipment for assisted breathing. There is a global shortage of all of these and a shameful scramble among developed countries to get their own supplies relegating Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros to the backyard.

The islands absolutely have no pharmaceutical companies to produce the needed medicaments. The medical supplies, equipment and whatever have to be imported from the United States and Canada, Europe, Asian countries such China and India.

Media reports said Mauritius and Seychelles had received a few tons of medicine including thousands of hydroxychloroquine tablets from India to help in their fight against COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug being used by some doctors to treat COVID-19 patients, though its efficacy is still being tested. Mauritius and Seychelles are favorite tourist posts, and have long-time close geopolitical relationship with India.

The COVID-19 epidemic is currently forcing governments to cut agricultural expenses and prioritize health-related expenditures. This will heavily affect the economy in the future if the restrictions continue, and further expected to bring additional economic hardship in the nearest future to these poor ocean islands. More than 80% of people in rural areas depend on subsistence farming for survival, restrictions on market activities would limit market access.

Repeat: Most of these people derive their livelihoods from the informal economy, small-scale farming, open market trading, livestock keeping and fishing. Workers in the formal sector have low incomes. Only a few of them have social security, and some may not even have saving accounts. This means with the lockdown, they are likely and adversely affected.

The above scenarios complicate the situation for poor people, who have little resources or insurance to cushion the social and economic impact of the pandemic. These small islands are, indeed, in a quagmire both, at the state level and the individual. While much depends on post-pandemic internal policies directed at transforming the economy, strategies to expand practical collaboration with foreign partners, the islands still have to keep good diplomatic relationship with the world. Nevertheless, global leaders have called for a comprehensive approach to mobilizing support for least developed countries, and so it is time to show absolute solidarity with Cape Verde, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the Union of Comoros.

*KesterKennKlomegah is Special Representative of the Russian Trade and Economic Development Council on interaction with Africa. He is also an independent research writer on African affairs in the EurAsian region and former Soviet republics.By KesterKennKlomegah*

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COVID-19: The Economic and Social Impact on Ocean Islands - The New Dawn Liberia

By Jim ThompsonHCP columnist

With the near worldwide shutdown of economies, we are in a monumental epoch not existent at any time since Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden. For you evolutionists, let me state it another way, we are in a monumental epoch not existent since the first blob magically crawled out of the primordial soup.

Never, ever, in the entire recorded or pre-recorded history, has nearly the whole planet been economically brought to a standstill. For all intents and purposes, the world has stopped. Again, this has never happened before.

Now, due to assets, infrastructure, intellectual property and so forth, all countries are not equally at zero. Latent assets can be turned back on quickly just like a light switch brings power to bulbs-in-waiting. However, in this respect, countries can be thought of as strata on the potential economic ladder. For instance, China, Germany, South Korea, Japan and the United States might be one layer. Australia, Canada, England and France might be another layer. Then Madagascar, the Seychelles, Aruba and the Canary Islands might be a layer. These are all just examples for illustrative purposes.

On the restart, think of horse racing. Think of the Triple Crown, perhaps. In their last race, sticking with my examples, Madagascar, the Seychelles, Aruba and the Canary Islands stopped in a certain economic order. Now, during this lull, they can think about what they were doing right, what they were doing wrong, when it comes to the ways they were running their economies.

If their intellectual energy is high enough during this current time, when they come out of the gate at the new start, their economic rankings as compared to each other could be rearranged in a permanent way going forward.

Secretariat, his jockey and his trainers did not idly rest between the races of the Triple Crown. Look at his Belmont finish if you want to see a stunning performance 25 lengths ahead. I see this happening throughout the strata of comparable world economies.

There may be a new order environmentally, too. There has been much discussion of what the slowdown in economic activity has done to air pollution in New Delhi, the newfound cleanliness of the Ganges, the sudden ability to view the top of Mount Everest in Nepal and on and on.

This is the first chance ever for countries to start at a universally simultaneously paused position in their quest for progress (whatever progress is, a concept beyond the scope of this one little column).

The unintended consequences as a result of this pause are implausible. I predict in three to five years we will look back in amazement at what this event initiated throughout the world.

It is impossible to begin to predict the coming changes. We have some hints from the past.

World War I, which started with the assassination of a pompous royal, a diminutive figure on the world stage, was the fuse that lit dramatic changes for the entire 20th century worldwide. Yet, at the height of World War I, only a small fraction of the worlds human population was actually engaged in its bloody execution.

We have no idea where, right now, unknown people of extraordinary leadership ability are planning to make their moves when the economies rejuvenate. A young Hitler or a young Gandhi, or many clones of each, may be planning to make their move at the right time in the near future. The world is ripe for this.

One can say without hyperbole, this is a time like no other ever experienced. It wont be over when the pandemic is over.

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press. He may be reached at jthompson@taii.com.

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An opportunity not seen since the Garden of Eden - The Highland County Press

Dubrovnik

25 April 2020 A number of foreigners have been held up in Croatia due to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, more than 3,000 are in the country.

With the government extending permits and visas for an extra 30 days due to the crisis, all of them are able to stay in the country. If they want to return, their embassies will enable them. However, there are those who currently prefer Croatia over their own home country and are in no rush to leave.

Although deserted, you can still bump into foreign tourists in Dubrovnik. Amanda has been in town for two months, and so far, she doesnt want to return home to the US.

The Secretariat of State offered us air travel, but it was a very expensive option. And I dont want to go home, its safer here than in the US. The owners of the apartment offered me to stay at half price. This is now a special place for being alone, I mean without tourists, it is amazing, Amanda told Dnevnik.hr.

Coronavirus also left Corina and Stephan in Dubrovnik as well, they have a family home there, so they have extended their vacation. People stick to the rules here, and its certainly a lot nicer to stay at home here than to sit in an apartment in Germany. We have a view and are having a great time here, Stephan said.

3383 foreigns currently in Croatia

According to data from the e-visitor system, there were 3,383 foreignersin Croatia as of Thursday, Dnevnik.hr reports. More than 50 percent are staying in commercial accommodation, with the majority of foreigners in Zagreb, Split, Umag, Vir, and Dubrovnik.

A small cruiser, without passengers, of course, sailed into the port of Gruz in Dubrovnik from Seychelles this week with only a crew of about sixty members, including several Croats. They will wait there until they can get home or wait for the cruise season to continue.

Samir and Mario from the cruiser say it was better in Seychelles.

There are no people there, they immediately canceled flights. It was great for us, we were able to swim and enjoy, they said, adding that they will not be able to get off the cruiser at all now.

The Dubrovnik Port Authority is providing the cruiser with food, water, and oil.

Although they have been unmanned for almost a month and have not sailed anywhere on land, they still have a prescribed 14-day self-insulation upon entering our border waters. Croatian staff have the option of exiting while the rest are practically quarantined and cannot leave the ship until the situation is normalised or borders are opened, explained Blaz Pezo, Director of the Port Authority of Dubrovnik.

All foreign nationals can ask their embassies to return home but it seems that a good part of them are satisfied with staying in Croatia.

Read more:

Over 3000 foreigners held up in Croatia and in no rush to leave - Croatia Week

Featured Photographer | Joe Daniels

Joe is an award-winning underwater photographer and author. His passion for underwater photography developed through his love for the marine world which began from a very young age in Suffolk in the UK. In 2007 Joe volunteered on a marine conservation project in Seychelles. He then spent more than three years in New Zealand and Australia, a year of this was working with manta rays and whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia. Joe returned to Seychelles as an intern on the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS)Whale Shark Monitoring Project. After completing his dive instructor course in South Africa he thencontinued on in Seychelles as dive officer for Global Vision International, a marine conservation NGO.

In 2013 Joe and his wife Emily moved to Ambon, Indonesia where they managed Maluku Divers, a photography-focused dive resort.

In the clear waters of Australia and Seychelles Joe found free diving as his preferred method, shooting many of his wide-angle images with little other than a mask and fins. Now after his experience in Ambon, Indonesia has brought him to focus more on photography utilising his scuba diving skills in order to spend more time with each subject.

He has co-authored a photographic coffee table book called Underwater Eden - The Marine Life of Seychelles, won numerous awards and has been widely published and has started leading trips for Equator Dive Travel. Now based in the south of France, Joe is able to spend his time exploring the cooler (but no less fascinating) waters of Europe in-between photography trips further afield.

Joe currently shoots with a Canon 5D MKIII in Nauticam housing and Retra Flash strobes.

Anemonefish with eggs- Saddleback anemonefish, Ambon, Indonesia

Haunting hawkfish - Longnose hawkfish, Alor, Indonesia

Jetty residents- Batfish, Alor, Indonesia

Holy Grail frogfish - Psychedelic frogfish, Ambon, Indonesia

Doto drift- Donut nudbranch, Bali, Indonesia

Mother mantis- Peacock mantis shrimp, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Alor life - Alor, Indonesia

Another world - Jellyfish lake, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Coleman shrimp - Ambon, Indonesia

Frogfish fantasy - Freckled frogfish, Alor, Indonesia

Denise's pygmy seahorse- Raja Ampat

Gaudy rhino - Popeyed scorpionfish, Ambon, Indonesia

Oxheart tunicate shrimp - Ambon, Indonesia

Cleaning manta - Reef manta, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

Sharks and snappers - Misool, Indonesia

Male Anthias - Red Sea

Find Joe on Instagram @joedanielsphotoor find him on his website

If you'd like to see your underwater photography published in these pages and shared across our social media feed and weekly newsletter, why not drop us a line atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER | JOE DANIELS - DIVE Magazine

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The outbreak and spread of COVID-19 has created multiple challenges for the entire world. Apart from containing the spread of virus and treating infected patients, there are related political issues such as the blame game between the United States and China, the role of the World Health Organization (WHO), and questions about the future world order.

Amid this entire crisis, India has been playing an important role. Indias role could be considered at both the domestic level the steps taken to tackle the crisis at home and the diplomatic level Indias assistance to other countries, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), amid the pandemic.

Indias approach, including on the diplomatic front, has been proactive since the outbreak of the crisis. One of the first steps taken by India was to evacuate citizens of different countries along with its own citizens from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the first COVID-19 outbreak. Those evacuated as compassionate cases included citizens from IOR countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives, South Africa, and Madagascar. India not only evacuated these people, but also quarantined them in India as a precautionary measure before sending them to their respective countries.

Second, India has emerged as a major supplier of medicines to different countries worldwide in the fight against COVID-19. As part of that effort, India was the first responder to Mauritius and the Seychelles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured all possible help to both these countries to face the challenge of COVID-19. Accordingly India sent a consignment of life-saving drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, to Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Third, COVID-19 has provided India an opportunity to address the irritants in its ties with some countries, most notably Iran and Malaysia. In the past few months Indias relations with both these countries were strained owing to Iran and Malaysias criticisms of India. However, recently India and Iran cooperated with each other in order to evacuate the Indians stranded in Iran. Later Irans President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Modi seeking Indias assistance to deal with COVID-19. Rouhani also reached out to Modi with the expectation that India would stand with Iran against the United States sanctions. Apart from this, India has sent a wheat consignment to Afghanistan through Irans Chabahar port. With respect to Malaysia, India has agreed to supply anti-malarial drugs, indicating improvement in the bilateral relations.

Indias recent actions, which could be termed as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) operations, build upon its outreach to the IOR, in particular the western Indian Ocean, in the past few years. India has made efforts to reach out to countries like Mauritius and the Seychelles, both of which Modi visited in 2015. In 2018 an agreement between India and the Seychelles was signed to jointly develop a naval base at Assumption Island. Similarly India is engaged in the development of Chabahar port in Iran, which has become operational.

Indias outreach in the IOR and the broader Indo-Pacific Region has been parallel to Chinas outreach by way of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Indias competition with China could be considered asymmetric owing to differences in the economic and military capabilities of both countries. However, Chinas development projects have resulted in indebtedness for many countries with limited resources. This situation creates an opportunity for India to present its own alternative to countries in the Indian Ocean Region, which would also facilitate increasing Indias footprint in the region.

The COVID-19 crisis presents a similar opportunity for India. This entire crisis has put the focus on China from different quarters. There is a blame game of sorts between the United States and China about the virus, with segments in each claiming that the virus originated from the other. Questions are also being raised about the role of the WHO, with critics saying the global health body was slow to take actions against the pandemic. Moreover, the WHO also defended China when questions were raised about Chinas intentions and failure to control the virus.

In contrast, India started screening international travelers in January. On March 25, India announced a lockdown of 21 days, which was later extended until May 3. This is considered an unprecedented step from India, since its population of more than 1.3 billion makes it the biggest lockdown in the world. Many countries including the United States, Italy and Spain were slow to announce their own lockdowns and as a result are the worst-affected countries, with hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the tens of thousands. In comparison, Indias numbers stand at around 20,000 infected and 645 dead as of April 22. India has also received praise from institutions such as the UN, the WHO, and the IMF for the response to this crisis.

The COVID-19 crisis has raised a debate about the future world order. At present, more and more countries in the world have an unfavorable opinion about China. On the other hand, India has been nimble-footed enough to take this opportunity and build up goodwill, which could result in elevated status in the post-COVID-19 period. India has also concentrated most of its efforts in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region, which has given it leverage. Indias diplomacy in the IOR could define its position in the changed world order.

Niranjan Marjani is a political analyst and researcher based in Vadodara, India. Follow him on Twitter: @NiranjanMarjani

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India's Indian Ocean Diplomacy in the COVID-19 Crisis - The Diplomat