International travel be made easier through mutual recognition of vaccine certificates: PM Modi

This comes amid a row with the UK over double-vaccinated Indians still having to quarantine.

"We also need to focus on addressing the pandemic’s economic effects. To that end, international travel should be made easier, through mutual recognition of vaccine certificates," PM Modi said at the Global COVID-19 Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.

As newer Indian vaccines get developed, India is also ramping up production capacity of existing vaccines.

"As our production increases, we will be able to resume vaccine supplies to others too. For this, the supply chains of raw materials must be kept open," said the PM, who is on way to the US for a three-day visit.

India is now running the world’s largest vaccination campaign, said the Indian PM.

Recently, India vaccinated about 25 million people on a single day.

"Our grassroots level healthcare system has delivered over 800 million vaccine doses so far. Over 200 million Indians are now fully vaccinated," PM Modi said.

"Earlier this year, we shared our vaccine production with 95 other countries, and with UN peacekeepers. And, like a family, the world also stood with India when we were going through a second wave. For the solidarity and support extended to India, I thank you all," he said.

Modi said India has always seen humanity as one family.

"India’s pharmaceutical industry has produced cost-effective diagnostic kits, drugs, medical devices and PPE kits. These are providing affordable options to many developing countries," he added.

The Prime Minister will participate in the Quad Leaders’ Summit along with Biden, his Australian and Japanese counterparts Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga respectively.