Today: 2 August 2025
29 January 2021
2 mins read

UN Chief lauds India’s vaccine assistance to nations

India is one of the world’s best assets in the fight against Covid-19 because of its ability to supply the vaccines needed to fight the pandemic and the UN counts on it, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres...Arul Louis

“I think that the production capacity of India is one of the best assets the world has today, and I hope the world understands that it must be fully used,” he said on Thursday at his news conference.

“I would like to say how much we count on India. I mean, India has one of the most advanced pharmaceutical industries.”

On Monday, India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti told the Security Council that his nation’s vaccine-making capacity would be for “the benefit of the entire humanity”.

Guterres described the development of India as a pharmaceutical powerhouse as “a very important element of democratisation of access to medicines all over the world”.

The UN chief said that the world body was in contact with Indian institutions regarding the vaccines produced by the country.

“In India, there is a production, a very high level of production, both of Indian-developed vaccines, and I think there is a perspective, very important perspective, of also others.

“India played a very important role in the production of generics for use that was outside (the country),” he added.

Guterres reiterated his appeal “for licenses to be made available in order for companies around the world to be able to produce some of the vaccines that already exist”.

India and South Africa asked the World Trade Organization last year for a waiver from patents and other intellectual property rights for materials needed to fight the pandemic “until widespread vaccination is in place globally, and the majority of the world’s population has developed immunity”.

The Secretary-General noted that most of the vaccine distribution had been in the developed countries and denounced “vaccine nationalism” as “an economic as well as a moral failure”.

“While every country has the right and the duty to protect its own people, no country can afford to neglect the rest of the world,” he said.

Western industrialised nations have all banned the export of Covid-19 vaccines, and as in the case of the UK and the European Union squabbling among themselves.

Only India, along with China and Russia, allow the export of vaccines.

Speaking at Monday’s Security Council meeting on the implementation of its resolution on backing Guterres efforts to fight the pandemic, Tirumurti said that India had already donated more than six million doses of the vaccine to nine countries and was in the process of sending contracted supplies to other countries.

It will also gradually supply to the World Health Organization’s COVAX programme to provide the vaccine to the poor nations, he said.

“As the largest vaccine-producing country of the world, we are fulfilling our commitment to make vaccine production and delivery capacity available for the benefit of the entire humanity.”

Meanwhile, India was itself planning to vaccinate 300 million citizens in six months, Tirumurti added.

Also Read-US confirms 1st case of S.African Covid variant

Previous Story

India extends suspension of Int’l flights till Feb 28

Next Story

Global coronavirus cases top 101 mn

Latest from -Top News

IBPC Dubai charts new growth path

Former Tata Motors CEO Ravi Kant headlines exclusive event as Indian business council sets course for transformation….reports Asian Lite News The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai has signalled a significant

Miles in the Malls!

Dubai Mallathon kicks off today – The emirate’s biggest malls transform into indoor fitness arenas, inviting residents to walk, run, and win — all while staying cool, healthy, and community-connected….reports Asian Lite

Famine grips Gaza, WHO warns

WHO said Gaza’s population is facing acute food insecurity under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification…reports Asian Lite News The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its starkest warning yet about the

Lifeline from UAE to Gaza

UAE’s Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 sustains Gaza’s collapsing health system with hospitals, treatment, aid, and vaccines, offering vital relief to thousands amid deepening crisis….reports Asian Lite News The United Arab Emirates has

Modi, MBZ talk big ties

The call reaffirmed their keenness to “strengthen relations in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities and deepen strategic cooperation.”…reports Asian Lite News In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra
Go toTop