Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India said that as the world races to find a cure and vaccine for COVID-19, India is looking to be self-reliant in both development of the vaccine and its mass production. 

Addressing the virtual Global R&D Summit 2020, organised by FICCI, jointly with the DST, Govt of India, from 25 to 27 November, Dr Vardhan said, "Called as the 'pharmacy of the world', India has the largest capacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines. We have now started to look at a robust vaccine manufacturing and delivery ecosystem to meet our demands in the coming days." 

He further stated that it is time for bold decisions and bold investments, and not for conservative approaches. "We are committed to help companies invest in India and make for India and for the World," he added. 

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister, ICT Division, Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and IT, Govt of Bangladesh said, “This is not the time to compete but rather to collaborate, to build a better world together." 

Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI said that the COVID-19 outbreak has emphasised the need for the nations to be self-reliant, and to embrace multilateral inclusive growth of a sustainable and inclusive nature where we leave no one behind.

Sanjay Nayak, Chair, FICCI Science, Technology & Innovation Committee and CEO & MD, Tejas Networks said that a robust research and development ecosystem is essential for any nation as it will have a long-lasting financial impact on businesses.

Dr Desh Deshpande, Board Member, MIT Corporation, Co-Chairman, President Obama's National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and President & Chairman, Sparta Group LLC said that unless we create a virtual cycle where innovation has a social and economic impact on the society, the society would not be able to feedback into the innovation cycle.