'India's vaccine production capacity is best asset world has today': UN chief

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for India to play a major role in global vaccination campaign.

Guterres termed India's vaccine production capacity the 'best asset' that the world has today.

"A very important element of democratisation is access to medicines all over the world.

I appeal for licenses to be made available for companies to be able to produce vaccines.

I know that in India there's a very high level of production of India-developed vaccines.

We strongly hope that India will play a major role in a global vaccination campaign.

I think the production capacity of India is the best asset that the world has today.

I hope that the world understands that it must be fully used," he said.

The UN chief's comment comes as India has gifted over 55 lakh doses of vaccine doses to the neighbours countries.