Nepal Shows Its Preference To Indian Vaccines Over Chinese, Foreign Minister Likely To Sign A Deal With India

Nepal is likely to procure Indian Covid-19 vaccines. The country's foreign minister may sign a deal with India during the India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

  New Delhi: Nepalese foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali will come to New Delhi on January 14^th 2020 for the India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting. Nepal requests India to procure vaccine for at least 20 per cent of its population. According to the Kathmandu Post, a proposal is being prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding to further cooperate in the health sector between Nepal and India. The MoU is likely to include an agreement on the procurement of Covid vaccines from India, as well as cooperation between the medical councils of the two countries. Nilamber Acharya, Nepal’s ambassador to India has had several rounds of meetings with Indian vaccine manufacturers and government officials. On Tuesday, he had a meeting Dr V Krishna Mohan, executive director of Bharat Biotech that is producing the indigenously-developed Covid-19 vaccine. ALSO READ: Covid-19 Vaccine: Govt All Set For Mass Inoculation Drive But 69% Indians Remain Hesitant, Claims Survey The Drugs Controller General of India has approved Covishield which was developed by Oxford's AstraZeneca and Covaxin which is developed by Bharat Biotech. The vaccines are in the final stages of the third phase trial in India. Last month, assured the Nepal that once the vaccine rolls out, Nepal’s requirement will be a priority.  The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that the government is ready to introduce the vaccines within 10 days. The first phase of vaccination will cover almost 30 crore people for vaccination. The healthcare and frontline workers and those above 50 years old will receive the jab on a priority basis.