Following request from several countries for its two vaccines—Covishield and Covaxin, India is all set to provide the jabs under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles, to begin with from Wednesday.
It will also send shipments to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius as well on receipt of necessary regulatory clearances.
However, India said that it will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is deeply honoured to be a “long-trusted” partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community and that supplies of the vaccines to several countries will commence on Wednesday, and more will follow in the days ahead.
India is one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccines.
The Ministry of External Affairs said India will supply Covid-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner keeping in view the domestic requirements.
In a statement, the MEA said 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 January 20,” it said.
“In respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances,” it added.
“India fulfils commitment to give vaccines to humanity. Supplies to our neighbours will start on 20th January. The Pharmacy of the World will deliver to overcome the COVID challenge,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry officials said that the total number of persons found positive with UK strain of Covid-19 is 141 while daily new Covid cases have touched a new low with 10,064 cases adding up to the national tally in the last 24 hours after seven months. India’s total active caseload has dropped to 2 lakh (2,00,528), said the official.