Gita Gopinath on How India 'Stands Out' on Its Vaccine Policy

IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath says India's leading the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the country "really stands out" in its vaccination approach. Not just that she hailed India's support to other countries with vaccines.

Gopinath was speaking at a program organised for the Inaugural Dr. Hansa Mehta Lecture organised on occasion of International Women's Day.

"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," Gita Gopinath stated.

She added, "India has been at the forefront in fighting this pandemic," she said about the country's approach towards supporting other neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

Gita Gopinath on How India 'Stands Out' on Its Vaccine Policy. She was speaking at the Dr Hansa Mehta Lecture

Gopinath, at the Dr Hansa Mehta Lecture, was speaking about India during an interactive session. She was asked about India turning into a vaccine hub in the region.

When questioned about India's economic recovery in the post pandemic period, Gopinath said Indian recovery could have repercussion for the world economy as it 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.

"So it was very hard hit but you do see the recovery coming back as the country has reopened, activities returning," she said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected an impressive 11.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2021, making the country the only major economy of the world to register a double-digit growth this year amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

What is the Dr Hansa Mehta Lecture?

Dr Hansa Mehta served as the Indian delegate to the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1947 to 1948 and is widely known for ensuring a more gender sensitive language in the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UDHR.