India Resumes Covid-19 Vaccines Export, Sends Doses To Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar And Iran

MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government has initially decided to send the supplies to the neighbourhood.

(Representative Image/Getty)

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Covid-19 vaccines have been sent to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Iran as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s decision to resume their supplies.

MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government has initially decided to send the supplies to the neighbourhood.

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“Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently at the UN General Assembly that India will resume supply of coronavirus vaccines. We have decided to start with the neighbourhood,” he said, PTI reported.

Stating the MEA is “constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation”, Bagchi said: “As far as I know, vaccines have already gone to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Iran.”

The MEA official spokesperson said the decision on further supplies will be based on the country’s production and demand.

“We will decide on further supplies based on our production and demand,” he said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had last month announced India will resume export of surplus Covid-19 vaccines in October under the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global pool.

Mandaviya, however, added vaccinating its own citizens remains the Central government’s topmost priority.

Earlier in April, India suspended the exports of Covid-19 vaccines to focus on inoculating its own population following a sudden spike in infections.