Global leaders hail Indias scientific innovation, decisive action to combat COVID-19

Global leaders have lauded Indias leadership in scientific innovation and decisive action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country gets set to begin the worlds largest vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus.

The Drug Controller General of India on Sunday approved the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

“Its great to see Indias leadership in scientific innovation and vaccine manufacturing capability as the world works to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a tweet on Monday, tagging the Prime Ministers Office.

Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted that India “continues to take decisive action & demonstrate its resolve to end #COVID19 pandemic”.

“As the worlds largest vaccine producer, its well placed to do so. If we #ACTogether, we can ensure effective & safe vaccines are used to protect the most vulnerable everywhere,” Ghebreyesus said and tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet.

A day after Indias drug regulator approved two vaccines for restricted emergency use, Prime Minister Modi said the worlds biggest inoculation drive against coronavirus was set to begin in the country.

Praising the scientists and technicians for the Made in India vaccines, he said the country was proud of them.

“Worlds biggest COVID-19 vaccination programme set to begin in India. For this, the country is proud of the contributions of its scientists and technicians,” Modi said.

Addressing scientists at the National Metrology Conclave, Modi had said it must be ensured that Made in India products not only have global demand but also global acceptance.

Modi has assured the global community that Indias vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Even during these very difficult times of the raging pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry of India has sent essential medicines to more than 150 countries,” Modi had said in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in September last year.

In a strong assurance to the international community, that is battling the devastating coronavirus pandemic, Modi said, “As the largest vaccine producing country in the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. Indias vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)