WHO Thanks PM Modi As US Lauds India's Efforts In Helping Nations With Covid-19 Vaccines

India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines to several countries like Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles.

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New Delhi: Calling India a "true friend", the US has applauded New Delhi for gifting Covid-19 vaccines to several countries. India is using its pharmaceutical sector to help the global community in coming out of the Coronavirus crisis. 

In the last few days, under grant assistance, India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines to several countries like Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. Commercial supplies of the doses to a number of nations including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco are been taken care of.

"We applaud India's role in global health, sharing millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccine in South Asia. India's free shipments of vaccine began with Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others," the South and Central Asia Bureau of the US State Department tweeted on Friday.

"India's a true friend using its pharma to help the global community," it wrote.

World Health Organisation has also thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "continued support to global Covid-19 response". 

"Only if we act together, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO said.

PM Modi had earlier said how India's vaccine production and delivery capacity is going to be used for the benefit of all humanity in battling the coronavirus crisis.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks also lauded India's support to its neighbouring countries to fight the pandemic.

"I commend India's efforts to help its neighbours by providing them with free COVID-19 vaccines. Global challenges like the pandemic require both regional and global solutions," Meeks said.

According to a Washington Post report, India is giving out millions of coronavirus vaccine doses as a diplomatic outreach.

"The Indian government has sent free doses to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives more than 3.2 million in total. Donations to Mauritius, Myanmar and Seychelles are set to follow. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are next on the list," it noted.

"The shipments reflect one of India's unique strengths: It is home to a robust vaccine industry, including Serum Institute of India, one of the world's largest vaccine makers," the report said.

Meanwhile, India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu expressed gratitude to the state department for recognising India's efforts in helping the global community.

Quoting Prime Minister Modi, he tweeted late Friday night, "India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community."

(With inputs from agencies)