India is among over 50 countries and organisations confirmed to participate within the UK-led virtual Global Vaccine Summit to be hosted by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday.
Organisers of the summit said Prime Minister Narendra Modi or a high-level Indian representative is predicted to participate live or with a pre-recorded message along side a minimum of 35 heads of state or government at the event, which aims to boost a minimum of USD 7.4 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in additional resources to guard future generations with vaccines and reduce disease inequality.
“The response we’ve had from India is extremely positive. India’s participation in Gavi and in supporting the (coronavirus) vaccine cannot in any way be underestimated and that we still work together,” said Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK Minister for South Asia and therefore the Commonwealth.
“It is a long-time incontrovertible fact that 50 per cent of the world’s vaccine production is currently in India, which makes it a crucial partner therein area,” said the Pakistani-origin UK minister, who features a dual role as minister within the ministry and Department for International Development (DfID).
In 2014, from being a recipient country of Gavi, India became a donor country and has contributed around USD 12 million so far.
“It may be a notable achievement for India that it’s become a supporter which demonstrates the steps India has taken in recent years. once we check out the size of production which India has of vaccines, it’ll be a crucial partner in ensuring an outsized number of vaccines are readily available in an equitable fashion,” Ahmad said.
