NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Saturday made an important effort to put India on the front-line of the global fight against Covid-19, by inviting global vaccine manufacturers to “come and make vaccines in India”.
“I, today, invite vaccine manufacture around the world — come, make vaccines in India,” PM Modi said while addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
“I want to give this information to UNGA that India has developed the world’s first DNA vaccine, which can be administered to all people above 12 years of age. Another mRNA vaccine is in its last phase of development. India’s scientists are also engaged in the development of a nasal vaccine for Corona,” he said.

The invitation comes at a time when inadequate supplies and inequitable distribution of vaccines have raised the fear that the twin issues might delay global recovery from the pandemic and may appear to be a move to transform India’s image as a cause of concern that it looked after the country was ravaged by the “second wave”, into an emergency responder and part of the solution. India earned considerable goodwill when the Modi government launched “Vaccine Maitri” initiative to reach vaccines to the under-resourced capitals at a time when developed countries stubbornly refused to look beyond their shores. The second wave derailed the vaccine initiative as New Delhi decided to first look after its own.
Highlighting India’s achievements and progress in Covid vaccine development despite limited resources, the PM said the country lives by ‘Seva Paramo Dharma’ (service is the main duty) and is engaged in vaccine development and manufacturing with full dedication.
While Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila’s three-dose anti-Covid jab ZyCoV-D has got emergency use authorisation for those above 12 years of age, Pune-based biotechnology firm Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is working on the country’s first mRNA-based Covid vaccine. Besides, Bharat Biotech is conducting trials with a nasal vaccine.
Underlining the government’s latest decision to resume export of anti-Covid jabs, the PM said: “Understanding its responsibility towards humanity, India has once again started giving vaccines to the needy in the world.”
At a time when countries across the globe are battling the pandemic with limited access to and availability of vaccines as well as other medical solutions, PM Modi’s speech is seen as an effort to transform the image of India to a crisis-manager.