India to supply Covid-19 vaccines to six key partner nations from tomorrow

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Tuesday announced that India will be supplying Covid-19 vaccines to its neighbouring and key partner countries from January 20. 

Countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will be the first recipient countries to get the vaccines in a phased manner keeping in view the domestic requirements. 

India is also waiting for required regulatory clearances from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius.

In a statement, the MEA said India has received several requests for the supply of Indian-manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries.

The announcement comes hours after it was reported that the Maldives will become the first country to receive the Covid-19 vaccine (Covishield) from India. The consignment is set to land at 2 pm at Velana International Airport, Malé via an Air India flight.

The Maldives is the largest Covid-19 assistance recipient in India’s neighbourhood including medicine supply, food supply, medical team, training and financial assistance of $250 million.

Maldives will receive 1,00,000 doses of Covishield vaccine and Bhutan will get 1,50,000 doses.

On Thursday, Bangladesh and Nepal will get their first consignments of vaccines. Myanmar and Seychelles will get theirs on Friday.

India kicked off its vaccine diplomacy program with the immediate neighbourhood days after its started its own innoculation effort.

Ref: indiaexpress, indiatimes