World Bank President Nominee Ajay Banga Tests COVID Positive in New Delhi

Ajay Banga, the nominee for the position of World Bank president has tested positive for COVID-19 in New Delhi, India. He is present in the city as part of his world tour and this was his last leg. Banga was scheduled to meet the Prime Minister as well as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of External Affairs.

During routine testing in New Delhi, Ajay Banga tested positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic but is currently quarantined in isolation. The information was shared by the Department of Treasury. “During routine testing, Ajay Banga tested positive for COVID-19 but remains asymptomatic. In adherence with local guidelines, he is quarantining in isolation,” said the department.

In the past two weeks, there has been a significant rise in influenza and coronavirus cases with 1,134 new coronavirus cases. According to Union Health Ministry data, the active cases increased to 7,026. Data also showed that New Delhi saw 84 coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 5.08 percent.

The potential president of the World Bank arrived in New Delhi as part of the last leg of his world tour. He was scheduled to meet with PM Narendra Modi, Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, and the Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The agenda of the discussion is unknown. He was endorsed by India shortly after his nomination was announced. As of now, it is unclear how his schedule will be altered as per the new development.

Mr. Banga’s world tour began in Africa and moved on to Europe, Latin America, and then Asia. He met with senior government officials, stakeholders, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society to build momentum toward his candidacy.

Vineet Washington