"US Pressures India to Resume Vaccine Exports... Expected Announcement at Quad Summit"

India's First Dose Vaccination Rate Rises Above 60%
Security and Vaccine Issues to Be Discussed at Quad Summit on the 24th

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As India, which had blocked vaccine exports since April due to the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, is reportedly considering resuming exports, expectations are growing that the global vaccine supply situation will improve. Known as the world's largest vaccine-producing country, India is planning to resume exports in response to pressure from the U.S. government and improvements in its domestic vaccination rate. There are also predictions that an official announcement may be made as early as the Quad meeting in the U.S. on the 24th.

According to local Indian media such as the Hindustan Times on the 15th (local time), the Indian government is reportedly reviewing the resumption of vaccine exports. The Hindustan Times cited an Indian government official saying, "Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed to review the resumption of vaccine exports," and reported, "It is expected that the resumption will be announced around Modi's visit to the U.S. for the Quad meeting on the 24th."

The Indian government had restricted vaccine exports since April when the Delta variant spread caused daily confirmed cases to exceed 400,000, completely overwhelming the healthcare system. The Hindustan Times reported that U.S. pressure is believed to be behind this export resumption. The U.S. and the international community have strongly pressured for the resumption as vaccine supply was delayed due to India's export restrictions, despite being the world's largest vaccine-exporting country.

Improvement in India's domestic vaccination rate is also interpreted as a reason for the move to resume exports. According to Indian health authorities, the first-dose vaccination rate in India surpassed 60% for the first time, reaching 61% as of this day. The Hindustan Times reported that during the export ban, India's largest vaccine production facilities, such as the Serum Institute, doubled their production capacity compared to before, so there is expected to be no significant disruption in supply even if exports resume.

Meanwhile, the Quad meeting to be held at the White House on the 24th is expected to be the first in-person summit since the Quad's inception. The leaders of the four Quad member countries?the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India?are scheduled to discuss security issues in the Indo-Pacific region as well as vaccine supply matters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.