NEW DELHI: Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to fight against the challenges posed by deadly coronavirus pandemic.

According to officials, Gates, in a letter to Modi, said he was glad that the Indian government is fully utilizing its exceptional digital capabilities in its COVID-19 response and has launched the 'Aarogya Setu' digital app for coronavirus tracking, contact tracing, and to connect people to health services.

“We commend your leadership and the proactive measures you and your government have taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate in India, such as adopting a national lockdown, expanding focused testing to identify hot spots for isolation, quarantining, and care, and significantly increasing health expenditures to strengthen the health system response and promote R&D and digital innovation," Bill Gates said in a letter.

“Grateful to see that you’re seeking to balance public health imperatives with the need to ensure adequate social protection for all Indians,” the former CEO of Microsoft told PM Modi.

He lauded Modi's government on taking "proactive measures" such as lockdown and expansion of focused testing in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Meanwhile, PM Modi has announced then extension of 21-day lockdown till May 3 to contain the further spread of virus.

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