India has once again proved that it is always willing to help neighbouring countries when necessary. Even in the pandemic, India stayed with her “neighbourhood first” policy and chose Maldives and Bhutan as the first two countries to be provided with Covid-19 vaccines, that will be delivered on Wednesday (January 20).
Bhutan will receive 1,50,000 Indian-made coronavirus vaccines and Maldives 1,00,000.
On January 21, Bangladesh and Nepal will get their first consignment, while Myanmar and Seychelles will receive the vaccines on January 22.
Bhutan is the first country to receive the Government of India’s (GoI) gift of the ‘Covidshield’ vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), followed by Maldives the same day.
Apart from providing Covid assistance, medicines and vaccines, on the request of the Royal Government of Bhutan, the GoI has also expedited the release of Rs 501 crore for their reprioritised projects to meet the emerging challenges caused by Covid-19, in addition to other fund releases for the ongoing projects.
Since Maldives has a population of about 5,00,000, the donation will cover vaccination requirements of a significant percentage of the population. In addition, the Maldives government proposes to purchase 3,00,000 doses of vaccine from the SII at commercial rates, said sources.
Calling it a ‘Vaccine Maitri’, which translates to “vaccine friendship”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “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”.
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 Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian-manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries. In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use its 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,” said a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“In respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances,” said the press release.
India had earlier supplied hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.
