India Highlights Its COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy At UNSC
Highlighting its vaccine diplomacy at the United Nations Security Council, India has pointed out how it is assisting the world community amid the COVID-19 pandemic that wrecked the world. India’s Deputy Permanent representative, Nagraj Naidu said, “As the largest vaccine-producing country of the world, we are fulfilling our commitment to make our vaccine production and delivery capacity available for the benefit of the entire humanity.”
India has gifted indigenously-made vaccines to 7 countries and sent contractual supplies to 3 countries so far, with many being planned. New Delhi began supplying vaccines days after it began its mega countrywide vaccination drive. The country also trained medical representatives of 13 countries when it comes to the administration of vaccines and is supplying vaccines to WHO’s COVAX facility. During the intervention, India pointed out how amid the pandemic it upgraded the medical facilities of UN peacekeeping missions in Goma in DRC and Juba in South Sudan.
Speaking at the UNSC briefing on ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: Follow-up on the implementation of resolution 2532’, Naidu informed the dignitaries that two vaccines have already been granted approval for emergency use in India and the country plans to vaccinate about 300 million citizens in the first six months. “We have already airlifted more than six million doses to nine countries in Phase-I as grant assistance. Contractual supplies to various countries are also being undertaken in a phased manner. We will also gradually supply to the Covax facility of the WHO,” Naidu said, adding that India has also provided training to several partner countries to strengthen their clinical capabilities, as well as to enhance their capacities for vaccine administration. Notably, India assisted more than 150 countries with medical supplies during the pandemic. New Delhi has pledged $15 million for GAVI or Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.