India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative last year reinforced its credentials as the “pharmacy of the world”.
Indian pharmaceutical companies could replace Western manufacturers exiting the Russian market, Russian envoy to India Denis Alipov said on Friday. “The withdrawal of many Western companies from the Russian market and the niches that have been freed up could actually be filled by Indian companies in many sectors, especially in the pharmaceutical sector,” Alipov told the Rossiya 24 television channel, quoted by the Sputnik news agency.
The newly appointed Russian envoy added that India is a “global pharmacy” and a leading manufacturer of duplicate drugs no worse than the original. India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative has cemented its reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” over the past year. World leaders have publicly praised India’s efforts to rapidly expand vaccine production and supply at critical times in the pandemic.
The move to replace drugmakers comes at a time when Russia is being bombarded with sanctions from Western countries. Today, Russia is trying to increase its economic engagement with non-European countries.
Earlier this month, Mr Alipov said Moscow had praised India’s independent foreign policy amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Referring to relations with India, Alipov said: “The Prime Minister (Modi) and the Indian leadership respect the state’s consistent independent policy in international affairs.
We have repeatedly stated that we welcome India’s independent foreign policy and enhance its role and influence in the international arena.” The Russian envoy also praised India’s foreign policy stance on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.