Indian Prime Minister Modi to chair first meeting with the new Council of Ministers
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the first physical meeting with the new Council of Ministers today.
The meeting is expected to focus on a myriad of issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently India’s fully vaccinated rate is 7.9% and the ministers will likely focus on increasing the nation’s vaccination rate as well as addressing the country’s progress related to investment and economic growth after the previous Council of Ministers meeting. Currently, India’s vaccine rollout has been marred by vaccine hesitancy and supply issues, and it appears unlikely that India will accomplish its goal of vaccinating the entire adult population by this December.
Expect the Modi government to make a serious push in the next month to dramatically increase vaccinations. Specifically, the government will likely aim to add immunization centers to make the vaccine more accessible, increase local engagement to combat vaccine hesitancy and eliminate inefficiencies in domestic vaccine production. Modi will also be eager to quell opposition criticisms regarding the government’s response to the pandemic. These efforts will likely be effective in boosting the vaccination rate but are unlikely to be comprehensive enough to achieve the government’s ambitious goal of vaccinating all adults by year end.
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