Gajula Sai Niranjan
In early 2021, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, India launched its Vaccine Maitri initiative, supplying over 235 million vaccine doses to 98 countries by July 2022. 1 This effort, while significant, was not without its challenges, including a temporary halt during India&s;s devastating second wave. It reflects a broader trend in India&s;s foreign policy: developmental diplomacy, economic aid, and technical assistance to build international relationships. Rooted in India&s;s post-independence commitment to South-South cooperation, this approach has seen the country extend over US$48 billion in aid since 2000, including US$14.74 billion in grants and US$32.6 billion in lines of credit across 65 nations. 2 This chapter examines India&s;s developmental diplomacy, scope, and implications, examining its achievements and limitations.