India has assured New Zealand of a continuous supply of pharmaceuticals amidst covid-19 pandemic in a telephonic conversation between the respective Foreign Ministers of the two countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has spoken with India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday, April 16.
The Ministers discussed their countries’ respective experiences of COVID-19, including their use of lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus.
Cooperation in the evacuation of Kiwis stranded in India
The two Ministers exchanged views on providing support to large groups of citizens stranded offshore during a global pandemic.
Minister Peters thanked Minister Jaishankar for India’s facilitation of New Zealand’s planned repatriation flights from India to bring home stranded citizens.
Earlier on Monday, April 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Government will be bringing New Zealanders home from India.
Since then New Zealanders stranded in India who have registered themselves with Safe Travels have been sent an expression of Interest to return back on the government charted planes at a cost of $5500.
India is a leading exporter of generic drugs across the world
The Ministers also discussed the importance of pharmaceutical supply chains and Mr Peters thanked the Indian Government for ensuring the supply of essential medicines to New Zealanders and looked forward to ongoing cooperation on pharmaceuticals.
Notably, India is a leading exporter of generic drugs across the world,
Estimates indicate that India supplies up to 50% of the United States’ generic drug needs, and vulnerabilities caused by Covid-19 have caused disruptions across global pharmaceutical supply chains.
According to the government of India’s own estimates, India ranks third worldwide for pharmaceutical production by volume and 13th by value. It accounts for about 10% of the world’s production by volume and 1.5 per cent by value.
A major supplier of affordable low-price drugs across the world, India’s role as the “pharmacy of the world” is well acknowledged by experts.
The Ministers also discussed issues relating to the Commonwealth and the shared desire for it to be an effective champion for its two and a half billion people.
