Ahmedabad, Aug 27 — India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic showcased its ability to build domestic manufacturing capacity for essential medical supplies rapidly, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Speaking at the RV Patel Pharminova Awards 2026 ceremony organised by Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd at Sindhu Bhavan, Shah said India faced considerable concerns about the capacity of its healthcare system when the pandemic spread worldwide.
However, the country demonstrated its capabilities and determination through a collective response involving the Centre, state governments and 140 crore Indians.
“India demonstrated its capabilities and determination to the entire world,” Shah said, recalling the country’s response to the pandemic.
Shah referred to the first 'Janata Curfew' and said people had followed the Prime Minister’s appeal after placing their trust in him.
He said the Prime Minister had expressed confidence that India would win the battle against the pandemic. “When the people of the country stand together with a resolve, any challenge can be overcome,” Shah said.
He said India’s efforts during the pandemic were not limited to meeting its own requirements. The country also produced vaccines and supplied them to several other countries, contributing to the wider fight against the disease.
"India rapidly developed indigenous capabilities across several areas during the crisis. At the beginning of the pandemic, production of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits in the country was very limited, while obtaining N95 masks was also difficult. Within a short period, India developed the capacity to manufacture PPE kits and masks on a large scale and subsequently emerged as a major producer and exporter of the products," he noted.
He also highlighted the development of domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities. According to Shah, India produced vaccines including Covaxin and Covishield within 13 months, showcasing the country’s scientific and industrial capacity during an unprecedented health emergency.
"The experience showed that India could not only meet its own requirements but also assist other countries in times of crisis," he said.
Shah also linked the pandemic experience to the importance of research and development in the pharmaceutical sector.
"Organisations working in pharmaceuticals would need to contribute substantially until India developed stronger systems to become self-reliant in R&D," he emphasised.
He said society and industry recognition of researchers is also important, adding that awards such as the RV Patel Pharminova Awards could encourage and honour those working in research.