India’s vaccine diplomacy reaches 17 nations, 56 lakh doses supplied in good faith

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 05, 2021:     India’s vaccine diplomacy has reached 17 nations, including neighbouring countries as well as those in West Asia, Africa and Latin America. The latest figures indicate that India has supplied 56 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines as part of an international grant while another 1 crore doses have been shipped or flown out of the country commercially.

 

On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during his weekly briefing, "We have so far supplied vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait and South Africa."

Over the next few days, New Delhi plans to gift 5 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines to CARICOM countries (Caribbean Community), and another 2 lakh doses each to Nicaragua and the Pacific Island states.

In addition, India’s commercial supply of Covid-19 vaccines is likely to make them available in Saudi Arabia, Canada and Mongolia among other nations.

As part of the GAVI-COVAX alliance, India would further supply 1 crore (10 million) doses to Africa and 10 lakh (1 million) to UN health workers.

"External supplies of vaccines are an ongoing process, depending on availability and domestic requirements. In coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries (the Caribbean), Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Mongolia, etc," said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.

From January 20, 2021 onwards, over 56 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been sent as a gift to neighbouring countries and the extended neighbourhood. These include Bhutan (1.5 lakh), Maldives (1 lakh), Nepal (10 lakh), Bangladesh (20 lakh), Myanmar (15 lakh), Mauritius (1 lakh), Seychelles (50,000), Sri Lanka (5 lakhs), Bahrain (1 lakh) and Oman (1 lakh).

These supplies were based on requests from the respective capitals.

Commercial exports have taken place to Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait and the UAE.

Sources told India Today, "We will continue to supply vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. Decisions on these supplies will, of course, be calibrated against the requirements of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine at home."

Courtesy:India Today