India to undertake contractual supplies of Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, 5 other countries in phases

The Indian government said it would undertake contractual supplies of Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh and five other countries in phases.

The five other countries are Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa and Myanmar.

"Keeping in view the domestic requirements of [India's] phased rollout, India will continue to supply Covid-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks… in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Anurag Srivastava told the weekly virtual media briefing today.

He was asked when India would start supplying vaccines under contractual agreements with Bangladesh and other countries.

Srivastava said supply of India-made vaccines was underway both as gifts and on a commercial basis.

Replying to another question, Srivastava said, "In terms of quantities and types of vaccines, the supplies abroad on government-to-government, government-to-business and business-to-business basis would be based on availability and regulatory approvals in the countries concerned."

To another query, he said he was not aware of any request for the supply of India-made vaccines to Pakistan on a government-to-government or commercial basis.

India began supplying vaccines to neighbouring countries on January 20 by airlifting 1.5 lakh doses to Bhutan and one lakh doses to the Maldives as grant assistance.

Yesterday, the first consignment of two million doses of Indian vaccines reached Bangladesh and one million doses to Nepal while today, India sent 1.5 million doses to Myanmar, one lakh doses to Mauritius and 50,000 doses to Seychelles.