NEW DELHI : India’s soaring coronavirus numbers are threatening its economic recovery and sharpening differences between states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s federal government.This week India surpassed Russia to become the third worst-hit country with more than 740,000 Covid-19 infections.
The surging virus numbers have all but overwhelmed the public health system, which the states are responsible for. It’s also piling on pressure on local governments at a time when they’re scrambling to restart economic activity.The country’s sudden lockdown — imposed without consulting state governments — shattered the already troubled economy.