At UN, PM Modi invites vaccine manufacturers to Make in India

In his address at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi invited the world’s vaccine makers to come to India.

Mourning the loss of lives lost due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Modi on Saturday reiterated India’s commitment to start giving vaccines to needy persons in other countries, even as he gave a clarion call to manufacturers to “Come, Make Vaccine in India”.

“For the last one-and-a-half years, the whole world is facing the biggest pandemic in 100 years. I pay homage to all those who lost their lives in such a terrible pandemic and extend my condolences to the families,” Modi said, addressing the high-level 76th United Nations General Assembly session.

“India, which lives on Sewa Paramo Dharma (service is the main duty), is engaged in vaccination development and manufacturing despite limited resources. I want to inform UNGA that India has developed the world’s first DNA vaccine, which can be administered to all people above the age of 12 years,” Modi said at the UNGA.

“Another mRNA vaccine is in its late stages of development. Scientists in India are also engaged in the development of a nasal vaccine for Corona. Realising its responsibility towards humanity, India has once again started giving vaccines to the needy of the world. I also invite vaccine manufacturers from all over the world today to- Come, Make Vaccine in India,” the prime minister said.

In his address, PM Modi paid tribute to all the people who lost their lives in Covid-19 pandemic, and extended his condolences to their families.

India’s vaccine delivery platform – COWIN, is providing digital support for hundreds of millions of vaccine doses in a single day, he said.

India stopped the export of Covid-19 vaccines after the second wave of the pandemic hit the country hard in April this year.

On Monday, India said it will resume export of surplus COVID-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter of 2021 under the ”Vaccine Maitri” programme and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global pool.

Modi also said, “Corona pandemic has taught the world that the global economy should be more diversified now.”

In a statement just before leaving for the US, PM Modi said his address at the United Nations General Assembly will focus on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues. India Today