India to supply COVID-19 vaccines to six nations, including Nepal & Bangladesh

On Tuesday, India announced that it will supply COVID-19 vaccines to six nations and Maldives as well as Bhutan are the first recipient among others. Covishield will be dispatched from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Thimpu in Bhutan. The Maldives will receive one lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and Bhutan will receive 1.5 lakh doses of the vaccine.

“It reaffirms India’s reputation as the first responder in an emergency situation,” Livemint reported.

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The Ministry of External Affairs said India will also supply COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Seychelles from 20 January. It would be continuing with the delivery of vaccines to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Mauritius once regulatory clearances from these countries are received. The Ministry said that it will partner with other countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner keeping in view the domestic requirements.

“This will be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations, including under GAVI’s Covax facility to developing countries,” the Ministry said. Moreover, PM of India, Narendra Modi exclaimed on 19 January while tweeting that India is deeply honoured to be a “long-trusted” partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community.

India had earlier supplied hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemic. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India has also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities, under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials (PACT) programme.