Episode 26: India’s Response to COVID-19

Covid-19, now officially labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has been reported in around 150 countries. Though India is low on the list of countries worst-affected by the outbreak, it could face challenges in combating the virus. In this episode, we speak with ISAS’ Senior Research Fellow Amitendu Palit about India’s response to the pandemic. He discusses: the possible scenario of the virus graduating to community-induced local spread; its ramifications on India’s economy amidst a banking crisis and a deepening global economic slowdown; the effect of trade disruption with China on India’s pharmaceutical industry; and the vulnerability of South Asia, as a region, and its push to find a strategy for this common threat.