EU envoy to India Ugo Astuto informed that the two sides are working together on a new generation of influenza vaccines. The EU is also coordinating international initiatives under the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Diseases Preparedness (GLoPID-R), which brings together 29 funding bodies including ICMR and WHO, according to Astuto.
1. What are plans for India and EU to collaborate in fields of technology & diagnostics to contain and counter Covid
Global crisis need global responses. To tackle the spread of the coronavirus, the EU is intensifying its global efforts, joining forces with partner countries, including India, to find solutions and maximizing access to the latest scientific knowledge.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, the EU has launched several new and special R&I actions to develop effective treatment, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. In total, we have invested more than 140 million euro on COVID-19 emergency research.
Research and Innovation is an essential feature of our strategic partnership with India. For instance, we are looking at matchmaking actions in areas of mutual strength. We are aiming at creating synergies between the two vibrant innovation ecosystems through the EU-India network of incubators. We are already working together on a new generation of influenza vaccines.
We are also joining hands with India in multilateral fora. To strengthen global cooperation, the EU is coordinating international initiatives under the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Diseases Preparedness (GLoPID-R), which brings together 29 funding bodies including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) from 5 continents and the WHO. The EU support to this network is up to €1.3 million.
With a focus on Vaccine Development, the EU is also contributing €20 million to the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) of which India is a founding member.
In order to facilitate access to latest scientific data and information to researchers on Covid-19, the EU is promoting exchange of data between researchers via Open Access and Open Science. Both the EU and India, together with more than 35 countries have urged the scholarly publishing community to make Covid-19 and coronavirus publications and the data supporting them immediately accessible via public repositories.
More broadly, let me point out that at this moment, we are all surviving chiefly through digital means, be it digital learning for schoolchildren, videoconferencing from home offices or the use of 3D printers to produce visors to protect doctors from coronavirus. Massive new investment will be needed all over the world.
We should quite deliberately focus on future technologies and on clean technologies. We need to invest in our future, for example for innovative research, for digital infrastructure, for clean energy, for a smart circular economy, for transport systems of the future.
In all these fields, I believe that cooperation with India will be strategic
2. What is EU’s views on exports of HCQ by India. Has any EU member state made request to India via EU
Viruses disregard national borders. This crisis has highlighted the need for strengthened international cooperation and solidarity. PM Modi’s call for a discussion on Coronavirus in the framework of G20 was instrumental in this respect. The EU, as a staunch believer in multilateralism, is also leading efforts to promote a strong and coordinated multilateral response to the coronavirus pandemic. Full use must be made of all available multilateral mechanisms to share scientific evidence, share data and best practices. International co-operation is key at this juncture.
This is also the case when it comes to demand for pharmaceuticals, which is increasing worldwide. Countries have to ensure that supplies can meet their domestic demand, however, But we also need to work together to keep global supply chains open and distribution networks operational, avoiding unnecessary strains and disruptions, in a spirit of global solidarity. It is in this spirit that we are working together with India and our international partners.
3. Does EIB have any plans or contemplating plans to offer any financial stimulus to India
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested so far EUR 3.4 billion in support of projects across India, from urban mass transportation, renewable energy and the health sector to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. We are currently exploring options and modalities to further extend this cooperation with India in a post Covid scenario.
In a broader perspective, the EU is ready to take a leading role in addressing globally the challenges posed by the virus and its aftermath. On April 8, the EU set out plans for a robust and targeted EU response to international efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The EU’s collective action will focus on addressing the immediate health crisis and resulting humanitarian needs, strengthening partner countries’ health, water and sanitation systems and their research and preparedness capacities to deal with the pandemic, as well as mitigating the socio-economic impact. To underpin these actions, the EU and its Member States will secure financial support for international partners, particularly the most vulnerable, amounting to more than €20 billion. We all know that only together we can stop the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. This is a global fight that we will either win or lose together.
4. Is there any progress with regard to India-EU partnership in various fields while both sides fight Covid battle. Is any Indo-EU Summit possible via video conference.
The EU and India share the view that in this crisis we need a multilateral response and strengthened international cooperation. We are working together to make this happen.
In the past few weeks, the EU leadership has been in constant contact with the Indian Government. The President of the European Commission, Ms Von der Leyen has recently spoken on the phone with PM Modi. External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar received a call from the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Borrell, who visited India last January.
The EU-India strategic partnership has strengthened over the years with a wide range of collaboration spanning climate action, environment, digitalization, security, trade among others. Now, both the EU and India are together focussing on tackling Covid-19. The Summit foreseen in March had to be postponed but contacts remain intense and fruitful, also in digital mode!
5. What is EU’s views on lockdowns.
In the EU, we believe that science-based guidance is essential. All measures need to be based on the best available scientific expertise. The EU and its Member States have acted with determination to protect public health. We have taken clear, tough measures based on the best scientific advice. This being a global pandemic – we all need to work together at global level for a coordinated response.