India says it is ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to other countries

India is assessing the production schedule of COVID-19 vaccines for domestic use, and delivery of vaccines to other countries is expected to take “some time,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on January 14. Addressing the weekly press briefing, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava reiterated that India is committed to using vaccines to benefit all humanity.

“The vaccination process is just starting in India. It is too early to give a specific response on the supplies to other countries as we are still assessing production schedules and availability to take decisions in this regard. It may take some time,” Mr. Srivastava said in response to questions on India’s regional commitment to help neighbors counter the pandemic.

Nepal has stated that a vaccine-related agreement is likely to be on the Joint Commission meeting agenda to be held on January 15 in New Delhi between Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. India has reiterated vaccine support for the neighbors in South Asia from the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

In Bangladesh, authorities said on January 13 that Dhaka had sought 30 lakh vaccine doses from the Serum Institute of India in Pune for delivery to its frontline workers. Mr. Srivastava could not say when these consignments will be delivered. But he maintained that India would support the world in fighting the pandemic.

“Prime Minister has already stated that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for the benefit of all humanity in fighting this crisis,” Mr. Srivastava said.