India will start providing COVID 19 vaccine assistance to its neighbour countries Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday. Further, the vaccines will also be supplied to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius once the necessary regulatory clearance norms are approved in the aforementioned countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in fulfilling the healthcare needs of the world. He further confirmed that the COVID19 vaccines supply to the countries will be initiated from tomorrow.
India is one of the world’s leading drug makers and suppliers. With the Serum Institute’s manufacturing of Covishield, the country is set to accelerate its lead as the world’s top drug supplier.
India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community. Supplies of Covid vaccines to several countries will commence tomorrow, and more will follow in the days ahead. #VaccineMaitri https://t.co/9Czfkuk8h7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2021
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India will supply the COVID19 vaccine to other countries in a phased manner to keep the domestic requirement in check.
"In response to these requests, and in keeping with India's stated commitment to using India's vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of the humanity fight the COVID pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from January 20," it said.
"In respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances," it added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted a photo of COVID vaccine consignment being delivered in Bhutan.
#VaccineMaitri begins. Consignment arrives in Bhutan. Another example of #NeighbourhoodFirst," he said.
#VaccineMaitri begins. Consignment arrives in Bhutan. Another example of #NeighbourhoodFirst. pic.twitter.com/noW9nzGZ9x
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2021
The MEA said it will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad.
India has already rolled out the world’s largest vaccine drive which was commenced on January 16th. The massive vaccination plan is being implemented with the help of two vaccines, Covishield which has been produced by United Kingdom’s Oxford University and AstraZeneca, manufactured by India’s Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin, which has been produced entirely by Bharat Biotech.
