\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSyllabus<\/b>: GS-2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors<\/span><\/p>\nSynopsis<\/b>: Covid-19 Pandemic provided India an opportunity to mainstream science and technology (S&T) in its foreign Policies. It became possible due to the past achievements by the country in the domain of S&T.<\/span><\/p>\nBackground<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The roots of India\u2019s scientific programs can be traced to the 1959 speech delivered at the Indian Science Congress by Jawaharlal Nehru.<\/span><\/li>\n
- He called for a focus on robust scientific research and seeking international scientific advancements.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Strong countries like the US tried to curb the country\u2019s advancements in important spheres like nuclear and space programs. However, despite this, the country managed to augment its S&T potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u2018Science and Technology\u2019 in International Relations<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The country gave <\/span>significant support to Asian and African nations <\/b>especially in the field of health. This strengthened its relation with Global South.<\/span><\/li>\n
- In the 1990s, after liberalization, India asserted its scientific interest in a better way. It established the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India in 1999.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- An <\/span>improvement in Nuclear and Space programs<\/b> was also seen in the 21st century. It was facilitated by growing ties with the US and their joint vision to curb China\u2019s assertiveness.<\/span><\/li>\n
- It also<\/span> signed strategic partnerships <\/b>with countries like the UK, Canada, etc. that had substantial S&T components.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The country\u2019s <\/span>Science and Technology Policy 2003 <\/b>and <\/span>Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013<\/b> clearly relate international S&T cooperation with the national interest.<\/span><\/li>\n
- To boost international S&T collaboration, A <\/span>Cyber Diplomacy Division<\/b>, an E-Governance & Information Technology Division, and a New Emerging & Strategic Technologies Division under the Ministry of External Affairs were also set up.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Very recently, India\u2019s pharma firms such as the Serum Institute of India partnered with the U.K.\u2019s Oxford\/AstraZeneca vaccine project. Similarly, Bharat Biotech produced an indigenous vaccine called Covaxin.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
India’s efforts for international cooperation during COVID Pandemic<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Initially, India gave medicines such as hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol to over 150 countries.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The Vaccine Maitri program was also launched to give vaccines to other countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- India delivered vaccines to many needy countries in South Asia and South America very recently.<\/li>\n
- India\u2019s response was a mark of its advancement in S&T. Moreover, responses were aligned with its Neighbourhood First, Act East, Indo-Pacific and LookWest policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What more should be done?<\/b><\/p>\n\n- India should now convert the crisis into an opportunity by launching more programs like \u2018<\/span>Vaccine Maitri<\/b>\u2019. This program attracted appreciation from multiple countries including Brazil, Canada, and Barbados.<\/span><\/li>\n
- There is a need of giving <\/span>greater financial devolution<\/b> towards S&T for achieving self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Abhiyan. This can be duly leveraged in international relations.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Further, the participation of states, universities, and the private sector in research and development efforts should also be enhanced.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Scientists must be made more aware of foreign policy objectives and diplomats about the latest scientific advancement in order to strengthen the integration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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