Lots of Econ Academics run projects in India, but not many have spoken about the situation here right now. I think this is endemic of the culture - the response of these academics shows whether they really care about the people they study

If you run "development" projects in India to "help" the poor, the least you should do is check-in with your team. Otherwise you show us that you use this setting coz costs are low, participants easily available and regulations favourable, not genuine interest in people's welfare

If you were vocal about the crisis in US/Europe/UK on social media, work in an Indian setting, and haven't even acknowledged the crisis here - you show us you don't care

Tied to this is who is working in these teams and who the researchers are- largely non-white students looking to start PhDs working for largely white researchers teaching at top US universities

Econ academia has a lot of problems. Lack of Empathy is probably the biggest.

If you can and are willing - donate! Here is an organisation working to provide oxygen to people in need: https://hemkuntfoundation.com/donate-now/