India To Start Exporting COVID-19 Vaccines To Six Neighbouring Countries Today

New Delhi: Being one of the biggest drugmakers in the world, India is set to begin exporting COVID-19 vaccines as early on Wednesday, according to the central government.

It will help the mid-and lower-income countries to secure supplies of the easy-to-store Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

The supply will be made to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles under grant assistance.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said via a statement that 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,” the statement said.

“In respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances,” it added.

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