Vaccine diplomacy: India sends 5 lakh Covishield doses to Sri Lanka

By Anish Kumar  |  First Published Jan 28, 2021, 9:37 AM IST

This humanitarian gesture amid the pandemic showcases India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and SAGAR doctrine in which Sri Lanka has a prominent position, an MEA source said.


As part of its vaccine diplomacy, India has sent a consignment containing five lakh doses of Covishield vaccines to Sri Lanka on Thursday. 

The vaccines manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India have reached Colombo. 

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Besides, seven other neighbouring countries have received vaccines from India as a grant, include Maldives, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles.

"The delivery of the Covid-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka is a fulfilment of PM Narendra Modi's commitment made to Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa during the Virtual Bilateral Summit held in September 2020 for all possible support to the country for minimising the health and economic impact of the pandemic," an External Affairs Ministry source said.

"This humanitarian gesture amid the pandemic showcases India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and SAGAR doctrine in which Sri Lanka has a prominent position," the source added.

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