Updated: November 17, 2020 10:38:11 pm
First President Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 12th BRICS virtual summit. (Source: Narendra Modi / YouTube screenshot)
Addressing the 12th BRICS summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed confidence in India’s vaccine production and delivery capabilities in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have started a comprehensive reform process within the framework of the ‘Self-sufficient India’ campaign. The campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant and resilient post-Covid India can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to global value chains, ”Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the summit of the five – national grouping by videoconference.
Emphasizing his point, PM Modi said: “We also saw an example during Covid, when we were able to ship essential medicines to more than 150 countries due to the capacity of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Our vaccine production and delivery capacity will also work in the interest of humanity like this. “
He also stressed that BRICS economies will play a crucial role in the global recovery after the pandemic. “We have more than 42% of the world’s population and our countries are among the main engines of the world economy. There is a lot of scope to increase mutual trade between the BRICS countries. Our mutual institutions and systems, such as the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism, the New Development Bank, the Contingent Reserve Agreement and Customs Cooperation, can also make our contribution effective in the global recovery, ”he said.
The Prime Minister also identified terrorism as the “biggest problem” facing the world and stated that it was necessary to address the threat in an organized manner. “Terrorism is the biggest problem facing the world. We have to make sure that countries that support and aid terrorists are also found guilty, ”said Prime Minister Modi. Although Modi did not name any country, his reference is considered to be directed at Pakistan.
The twelfth BRICS summit was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Notably, this is the second time that Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have shared the virtual platform this month. Previously, both leaders had shared the platform on November 10 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where Modi had said that all SCO member nations should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Indian and Chinese soldiers have been locked in a border clash in eastern Ladakh for the past six months.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi also stressed the need to reform the United Nations Security Council and multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.
The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) are known as an influential bloc representing more than 3.6 billion people, or half of the world’s population.
Ready to cooperate with India, BRICS countries to develop COVID-19: Xi vaccine
Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to cooperate with India and other BRICS nations in developing vaccines against the coronavirus. “As we speak, Chinese companies are working with their Russian and Brazilian partners on phase three of clinical trials for vaccines. We are prepared to have cooperation with South Africa and India as well, ”Xi said while addressing the 12th BRICS summit.
“To support the development of the BRICS vaccine research and development center, China has designated its own national center. I propose that we convene a BRICS symposium on traditional medicine to explore its role in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus, ”Xi said. He also said that China will open the BRICS association in a new industrial revolution innovation center in the Chinese city of Xiamen. “We welcome the active participation of other BRICS countries,” he added.
Putin says Sputnik V vaccine could be produced in India and China
Echoing Xi, President Vladimir Putin also called for a joint effort by BRICS countries in developing coronavirus vaccines, as he suggested that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 could be produced in China and India. “We believe it is important to accelerate the establishment of the BRICS vaccine research and development center, which we agreed to do two years ago, at the initiative of our South African friends,” Putin said while addressing the 12th BRICS summit.
“The Russian Fund for Direct Investment has reached agreements with its Brazilian and Indian partners on the conduct of clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, it has also reached an agreement with pharmaceutical companies in China and India to launch the production of the vaccine in these countries not only to meet their needs, but also for third countries, ”Putin said.
“We believe it is important to accelerate the establishment of the BRICS vaccine research and development center, which we agreed to do two years ago, at the initiative of our South African friends,” he added.
With PTI inputs
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
