INDIA TO SUPPLY VACCINES TO 6 COUNTRIES

India on Tuesday announced that it will begin supplies of Indianmanufactured Covid vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday.

New Delhi further said that regarding supply of these vaccines to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, it is awaiting the “confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances” from these three countries.

So far as vaccine supply to Bhutan is concerned, it is understood that a consignment containing 1.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccines will reach Thimphu on Wednesday. It is also understood that a consignment containing one lakh doses of Covishield vaccines will reach the Maldivian Capital Male on Wednesday. Bhutan and the Maldives will therefore be the first two foreign countries to receive the Covishield vaccines, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. This is being seen as India’s “gift” to these two neighbouring countries, highlighting their close strategic proximity to India.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the MEA said, “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 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 Wednesday. In respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.”

Meanwhile, India’s vaccination drive against

Covid-19 picked up pace on Tuesday with more than 6.31 lakh healthcare and frontline workers getting the jab.

Also, fresh cases of

Covid-19 on Tuesday dropped to 10,064 with 137 deaths being reported.