India To Play Key Role In Global Economic Recovery, Stands Out In Terms Of Vaccine Policy: Gita Gopinath

"India has been at the forefront in fighting this pandemic,” she said, adding that India has been providing vaccines through grants to several of its neighbour countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and through commercial arrangements as well.

Gita Gopinath, IMF Chief Economist. (File Photo/AFP)

New Delhi: As India continues to overcome from the onslaught of Coronavirus pandemic, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economic Gita Gopinath praised country's Covid-19 vaccine policy. While speaking at an event, Gopinath said that India has been at the forefront in fighting Covid-19 pandemic and "really stands out" when it comes to its vaccine policy. Gita's comment were over India's effort of manufacturing Coronavirus vaccines and shipping it to several nations. 

"I also want to mention that India really stands out in terms of its vaccine policy. If you look at where exactly is one manufacturing hub for vaccines in the world – that will be India," Gopinath said during an interactive session during the Inaugural Dr. Hansa Mehta Lecture organised on occasion of International Women’s Day.

The economist also lauded pharma company Serum Institute of India, that has developed India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine Covishield, saying that the firm produces most number of vaccines in the world in a regular year and has been manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine doses that are delivered to COVAX and then distributed to countries around the world.

"India has been at the forefront in fighting this pandemic,” she said, adding that India has been providing vaccines through grants to several of its neighbour countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and through commercial arrangements as well.

Further extending confidence that India is on the way of playing a pivotal role in contributing to global economic recovery, Gopinath said that India makes up about 7 per cent of world GDP based on purchasing power parity terms.

"So when you’re that large, what happens in India has implications for many other countries in the world, especially countries in the region," she said.