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NATION JANUARY 08, 2021 | The Indian Eye 8

vaccine diplOmacy

how modi Govt is trying to project

india as vaccine centre of the world

Govt ready with a huge vaccination plan as Opposition questions its efficacy

Our Bureau
New Delhi

n a massive move, Se-
rum Institute of India and
IBharat Biotech jointly
communicated their pledge on
Tuesday for the smooth rollout
of COVID-19 vaccines to In-
dia and the world. “Mr. Adar
Poonawala and Dr. Krishna
Ella, jointly on behalf of the
two companies, today commu-
nicated their combined intent
to develop, manufacture and
supply the COVID-19 vaccines
for India and globally,” read
a joint statement from SII and
Bharat Biotech. Adar Poonawa- prime minister Narendra modi interacts with the chancellor of the Federal republic of Germany,
la is Chief Executive Officer of Dr. angela merkel, through video-teleconference, in New Delhi on wednesday. (aNi)
SII. Dr. Krishna Ella is Chair-
man and Managing Director of pledge to provide global access al and global issues, particularly from these countries on vac-
Bharat Biotech. for our COVID-19 vaccines,” India-EU relations. cine-related issues. As we roll
“They said, the more im- the statement added. With the country set to roll out vaccines, Prime Minister’s
portant task in front of them is India is ready to rollout vac- out vaccine against coronavirus, announcement that India’s vac-
saving the lives and livelihoods cines – at home and abroad. the External Affairs Ministry cine production and delivery
of populations in India and Prime Minister Narendra on Friday said India has been at capacity would be used for the
the world. Vaccines are a glob- Modi on Wednesday held a vid- the forefront of global response benefit of all humanity in fight-
al public health good and they eo-teleconference with German in the common fight against the ing this crisis needs to be not-
have the power to save lives and Chancellor Angela Merkel and disease by providing medicines ed,” he added.
accelerate the return to eco- discussed key issues of mutual and other essential supplies and Neighbouring countries
nomic normalcy at the earliest,” importance including India’s is ready to cooperate in provid- have shown interest in the vac-
the statement said. commitment to deploy its ca- ing vaccines to the neighbours. cines being produced by India.
It further said, “Now that pacities for the benefit of the “You would know that since The country is conducting dry
two COVID-19 vaccines have world. the beginning, India has been runs and is expected to roll out
been issued EUA (emergency The Prime Minister briefed at the forefront of the global the world’s largest vaccination
use authorization) in India, the Chancellor Merkel on the de- response in this common fight drive in coming days.
focus is on manufacturing, sup- velopments in India with regard against the COVID-19 pan- India’s drug regulator has
ply and distribution, such that to vaccine development and as- demic. India sees international given emergency use authorisa-
populations that need it the sured her of “India’s commit- cooperation in this field, par- tion to two COVID-19 vaccines
most receive high quality, safe ment to deploy its capacities for ticularly with its neighbours, as - ‘Covaxin’ developed indige-
and efficacious vaccines.” the benefit of the world.” The its duty,” Ministry of External nously by Bharat Biotech in col-
“We are fully aware of the two leaders discussed key issues Affairs spokesperson Anurag laboration with ICMR and ‘Co-
importance of vaccines for of mutual importance including Srivastava said at the regular vishield’ being manufactured by
people and countries alike, we the response to the COVID-19 media briefing. “We have held the Serum Institute of India.
hereby communicate our joint pandemic, bilateral ties, region- training sessions for experts Continued on next page... >>

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