US applauds India for gifting COVID-19 vaccine to several countries
Terming India a "true friend" which is using its pharmaceutical sector to help the global community, the United States has applauded New Delhi for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said earlier that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting the coronavirus crisis.
Here is Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs' tweet
Countries that received it and the ones yet to receive
In the last few days, India has sent consignments of domestically produced coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. It is also undertaking commercial supplies of the doses to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, and Morocco. Known as the "pharmacy of the world," India produces 60 percent of vaccines globally.
US media also praised India's gesture
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks also commended India's support to its neighboring countries to fight the pandemic. "I commend India's efforts to help its neighbors by providing them with free COVID-19 vaccines. Global challenges like the pandemic require both regional and global solutions," Meeks said. The US media also praised India's support to the global community in this health crisis.
'Shipments reflect one of India's unique strengths'
According to a Washington Post report, India is giving away millions of coronavirus vaccine doses as a tool of diplomacy. "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.
India reacts to the praise from the State Department
Meanwhile, India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, thanked the State Department for recognizing India's efforts to support the global community to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, he tweeted late Friday night, "India is deeply honored to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community."
