Lauding India for its role in eliminating two 'silent killers' -- small pox and polio, the World Health Organization (WHO) has backed the country to take aggressive action against the global pandemic coronavirus or COVID-19 that has claimed over 16,000 lives across the world so far.

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Speaking at a press conference on March 23, the WHO Executive Director said the future of this pandemic will largely depend on what densely populated countries like India and China do to tackle this unprecedented health crisis. "India is a hugely populous country. The future of this pandemic to a great extent will be determined to what happens to densely populated countries. It's really important that India continues to take aggressive action at the public health level, and at the level of society to control, suppress this disease and save lives," the WHO Executive Director said.

"India led the world in eradicating two silent killers -- small pox. India, through targeted public health interaction, ended that disease and gave a great gift to the world. India also eliminated polio, another silent killer and did a tremendous job. India has tremendous capacities," he said.

The WHO Executive Director's remarks assume significance as they have come at a time when India imposed strict lockdown measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Thirty states and union territories announced complete lockdown in their entire areas covering as many as 548 districts, the government said on March 23.