A Critical Analysis: India’s Vaccine Aid and the Paradox of International Support in the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

India’s role as a global humanitarian leader shone brightly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when its “Vaccine Maitri” initiative supplied free vaccines to numerous countries, reinforcing its image as the “pharmacy of the world.” Similarly, India’s swift disaster relief efforts, from Nepal’s 2015 earthquake to Turkey’s 2023 quake, have saved countless lives. Yet, the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, triggered by the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, reveals a troubling paradox: many nations India selflessly aided are either supporting Pakistan or remaining neutral, despite India’s Operation Sindoor targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure. This article examines the countries that received India’s free COVID-19 vaccines, their stances in the current conflict, the reasons behind their positions, and the contentious notion of labeling those supporting Pakistan as “traitors.” It argues that India must navigate this diplomatic challenge with strategic pragmatism rather than emotional rhetoric.

India’s Humanitarian Legacy

India’s humanitarian efforts are guided by the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). During the COVID-19 pandemic, India launched the Vaccine Maitri initiative on January 20, 2021, supplying free vaccines to 98 countries, totaling 14.3 million doses by February 2022 (Vaccine Maitri – Wikipedia). Beyond vaccines, India provided disaster relief as a first responder in crises such as:

• Nepal (2015 Earthquake): Operation Maitri delivered 520 tonnes of supplies (India’s Role in Disaster Relief).
• Turkey (2023 Earthquake): Operation Dost sent medical teams and supplies.
• Maldives (2004 Tsunami): Operation Rainbow provided a $5 crore aid package.

These acts of generosity, often without expectation of reciprocity, underscore India’s commitment to global solidarity.

The 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, after attackers reportedly targeted victims based on religion (2025 India-Pakistan Standoff). The Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility but later retracted. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attack and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking alleged terrorist infrastructure, killing at least 31 people, per Pakistan’s claims (India Strikes Pakistan). Pakistan denied involvement, called for an international investigation, and vowed retaliation, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Countries Receiving Free COVID-19 Vaccines from India

India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative gifted 14.3 million doses of Covishield and Covaxin to 98 countries, with a focus on South Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Caribbean. Below is a list of key recipient countries, based on available data from 2021, and their stances in the 2025 conflict (India Sends 22.9 mn Doses, Vaccine Maitri – Wikipedia):

Country	Free Vaccine Doses (2021)	Stance in 2025 Conflict	Supporting Pakistan?
Bangladesh	2,000,000	Neutral	No
Myanmar	1,700,000	Neutral	No
Nepal	1,000,000	Neutral	No
Sri Lanka	500,000	Neutral	No
Afghanistan	500,000	Supports India	No
Maldives	100,000	Neutral	No
Mauritius	100,000	Neutral	No
Seychelles	50,000	Neutral	No
Bahrain	100,000	Neutral	No
Oman	100,000	Neutral	No
Barbados	100,000	Neutral	No
Dominica	70,000	Neutral	No
Bhutan	150,000	Neutral	No

Notes on the List:

• Data Limitations: The full list of 98 recipient countries is not explicitly detailed in sources, but the above includes major recipients cited in 2021 reports. Additional countries (e.g., Caribbean and African nations) received vaccines, but their 2025 stances are largely undocumented due to their limited geopolitical involvement.
• Pakistan’s Inclusion: Pakistan received 45 million India-made doses via the COVAX initiative, not as a direct grant from India, and thus is not listed as a recipient of free vaccines (Pakistan to Receive 45 Million Doses).
• Stance Assessment: Countries are classified as “Supporting Pakistan,” “Supporting India,” or “Neutral” based on diplomatic statements, military actions, or silence in the 2025 conflict.

Countries Not Supporting India

Among the countries that received free vaccines, the following are not supporting India in the 2025 conflict (i.e., they are neutral or support Pakistan):

• Neutral: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahrain, Oman, Barbados, Dominica, Bhutan.
• Supporting Pakistan: None of the listed vaccine recipients explicitly support Pakistan, as Turkey, China, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, and Iran were not direct recipients of free vaccine grants in 2021. However, Malaysia received commercial or COVAX supplies, and its support for Pakistan’s call for an investigation aligns with Pakistan Juliet (India-Pakistan Tensions.

Why Are They Not Supporting India?

The lack of support from these countries stems from:

• Geopolitical Neutrality: Nations like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka balance ties with both India and Pakistan to avoid entanglement in a nuclear standoff.
• Domestic Priorities: Smaller nations (e.g., Seychelles, Dominica) focus on internal issues and lack the geopolitical weight to take sides.
• Economic Ties: Countries like Bahrain and Oman maintain strong trade relations with both India and Pakistan, prioritizing stability.
• Non-Alignment: Many developing nations adhere to non-aligned policies, avoiding involvement in great power rivalries.

The “Traitor” Label: A Dangerous Oversimplification

Labeling countries that support Pakistan or remain neutral as “traitors” is both inflammatory and counterproductive. For instance:

• Turkey, China, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Iran: These countries support Pakistan due to historical alliances, religious ties, or strategic interests (e.g., China’s CPEC, Turkey’s Kashmir stance). Only Malaysia received indirect vaccine supplies via COVAX, not direct grants, so their stance is not a betrayal of India’s aid.
• Neutral Countries: Nations like Nepal and Bangladesh, despite receiving free vaccines, have deep cultural and economic ties with India but also engage with Pakistan. Their neutrality reflects a pragmatic approach to regional stability, not disloyalty.

Calling these nations “traitors” risks alienating potential partners and escalating diplomatic tensions. It also ignores the reality that international relations are driven by self-interest, not gratitude for past aid.

Implications for India

The 2025 conflict highlights several challenges for India:

• Limits of Vaccine Diplomacy: India’s generous aid has not guaranteed loyalty, suggesting a need to align future aid with strategic goals.
• Diplomatic Isolation: With only the US, Afghanistan, and possibly Israel explicitly supporting India, New Delhi must counter Pakistan’s narrative more effectively.
• Regional Dynamics: Neutral stances from South Asian neighbors underscore India’s challenge in rallying regional support against Pakistan-based terrorism.

Recommendations

India should adopt a strategic approach:

• Engage Diplomatically: Avoid inflammatory rhetoric and engage neutral countries to build a coalition against terrorism.
• Strengthen Alliances: Deepen ties with supportive nations like the US, Israel, and Quad members (Japan, Australia) to counter Pakistan’s backers.
• Refine Aid Strategy: Prioritize aid to nations that align with India’s security and geopolitical interests, ensuring mutual benefits.
• Counter Narrative: Amplify evidence of Pakistan’s terrorism links globally to shift neutral stances.

Conclusion

India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative showcased its humanitarian leadership, gifting free COVID-19 vaccines to countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives. Yet, in the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, most of these nations remain neutral, prioritizing regional stability or domestic concerns over supporting India’s anti-terrorism efforts. Countries like Turkey and China, which back Pakistan, act out of longstanding alliances, not betrayal of India’s limited aid to them. Labeling them “traitors” oversimplifies complex geopolitics and risks further isolation. Instead, India must leverage diplomacy, strengthen strategic alliances, and refine its aid strategy to navigate this crisis and secure its interests in a volatile region.