At G20, India Can Show The Way

PM Modi’s welfare, empowerment schemes should be a blueprint for many countries

Speeding up progress towards a healthier, fairer and more prosperous world depends on commitment and innovation. And this is where India leads the way.

Earlier this month, our foundation released a report on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals – to end poverty and hunger, achieve economic growth, ensure access to clean water and sanitation, and more, all by 2030 – were agreed upon seven years ago by every member country of the United Nations.

The report was sobering, showing that the world is currently off track to meet the goals. But thanks to the leadership and progress in India, I remain optimistic that we can still get there.

India can keep SDGs on track

India under the leadership of PM Modi has made great strides in implementing many initiatives that show promise for accelerating progress towards SDGs. The country’s upcoming G20 presidency provides an opportunity for Indian leaders to sharpen the world’s focus on health and development issues and share lessons and innovations that can improve and save lives.

● Vaccine development is a clear example of India’s global contribution.

● Two of every five Covid vaccine doses that Gavi, the vaccine alliance, has distributed around the world were made in India.

● During the pandemic, despite supply shortages in early 2021, over 2 billion doses of vaccines manufactured in India were delivered domestically, and over 250 million were exported.

● And it’s not just humans who are benefitting from India’s vaccine know-how.