New Delhi (NVI): India today started the supply of Covid vaccines manufactured in the country to six key partner countries including Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh and Seychelles.
The Ministry of External Affairs had announced yesterday that India will start the supply of Covid vaccines to these countries under grant assistance.
Bhutan got the first consignment of vaccine from India as it reached Paro valley in an An-32 aircraft.
“An AN32 glided its way into the Paro valley around 3.25 pm today, ferrying Bhutan’s first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine,” Bhutan Prime Minister M Lotay Tshering said in a tweet.
An AN32 glided its way into the Paro valley around 3.25 pm today, ferrying Bhutan’s first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine https://t.co/kwsfUUsjov pic.twitter.com/G4GTTugyVn
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) January 20, 2021
As per reports, Bhutan Health Minister Dechen Wangmo will receive vaccines from Indian Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj in presence of PM Lotay Tshering in a modest ceremony.
Apart from that the Indian vaccines also reached Maldives today. “Indian vaccines reach Maldives, reflects our special friendship,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
Indian vaccines reach Maldives, reflects our special friendship. #VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/V1XKVjOSbJ
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2021
Yesterday, the MEA said that these six countries will get the supply of vaccines in a phased manner. “The Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries,” MEA said.
“In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of humanity fight the Covid pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from 20 January 2021,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry also informed that in respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, the Government is awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.
Pertinent to mention here that India has approved two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, and a massive vaccination drive has already been rolled out to administer these vaccines to frontline health workers across the country.
-ARK
