Vijay Kumar Chattu
1,2,3* 
, Bawa Singh
4 , Fnu Kajal
5 , Chakrapani Chatla
6 , Soosanna Kumary Chattu
7 , Sanjay Pattanshetty
8 , K. Srikanth Reddy
7,9 1 Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
2 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha-442107, India
4 Department of South and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
5 Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
6 Global Health Equity, Public Health Department, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hyderabad, Telangana
7 Center for Evidence-based Diplomacy (CEBD), Global Health Research and Innovations Canada (GHRIC), Toronto, ON, Canada
8 Department of Global Health Governance, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
9 School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of global health diplomacy (GHD), with India emerging as a key player. India’s commitment to GHD is demonstrated by its active participation in regional and multilateral projects, pharmaceutical expertise, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, which include the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and essential medicines. India has supported nations in need through bilateral and multilateral platforms, providing vaccines to countries experiencing shortages and offering technical assistance and capacity-building programs to improve healthcare infrastructure and response capabilities. India’s unique approach to GHD, rooted in humanitarian diplomacy, emphasized collaboration and empathy and stressed the well-being of humanity by embracing the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which translates to “the world is one family.” Against this background, this paper’s main focus is to analyze the rise of India’s GHD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its leadership in addressing various global challenges. India has demonstrated its commitment to global solidarity by offering medical supplies, equipment, and expertise to more than 100 countries. India’s rising global leadership can be attributed to its proactive approach, humanitarian diplomacy, and significant contributions to global health initiatives.