New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and said that India’s considerable productive capacity for pharmaceuticals and vaccines would continue to serve the needs of all countries, including those in Africa.
The leaders discussed about the measures both the countries are taking to fight the COVID-19 pandemic domestically and internationally.
Spoke to President @CyrilRamaphosa about the measures India and South Africa are taking to fight the COVID-19 pandemic domestically and internationally. India's capacity to produce medicines and vaccines is supporting the efforts of many nations, including our friends in Africa.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 4, 2021
They discussed the continuing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination campaigns being undertaken in their respective countries, according to a statement issued by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
President Ramaphosa took to twitter and wrote, “I spoke to the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency @NarendraModi this afternoon following the arrival of the first batch of #COVID19 vaccines from on Monday. I applauded the Government & people of India for its gift to the world in the form of vaccines & scientific knowledge.”
I spoke to the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency @NarendraModi this afternoon following the arrival of the first batch of #COVID19 vaccines from on Monday. I applauded the Government & people of India for its gift to the world in the form of vaccines & scientific knowledge. pic.twitter.com/Mar65brN9i
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 4, 2021
“PM Modi indicated that India would continue to support countries in Africa with a special package of vaccines. India will also support the #COVAX facility – a joint initiative of The Vaccine Alliance and the @WHO – with 13 million doses by the end of February 2021,” he said in another tweet.
According to the MEA statement, the two leaders also discussed possibilities of collaboration between India and South Africa in various international fora, to facilitate access and affordability of vaccines and medicines, it stated further.
“The leaders agreed that officials of both countries would remain in touch over the coming days to exchange experiences and explore the potential for collaborative efforts against the pandemic,” the release read.
Earlier this week, Made-in-India vaccines were dispatched to South Africa and the consignment of doses was received by President Ramaphosa.
-CHK
