Team News Riveting
At a time when China was trying to establish a monopoly over COVID vaccine, India had scored a point over as countries from Brazil to Bangladesh, and from the USA to the Maldives had been congratulating for its herculean efforts in its battle against the pandemic.
The capacity of India to inoculate its citizens and simultaneously export the vaccine to the world shows the good intention of the Indian government and sets a precedent on how responsible global powers should act. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the vaccine, sharing a picture of Lord Hanuman carrying the Sanjveeni booti from the epic Ramayana in a tweet.
“Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccine exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad,” Bolsonaro added.
The Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, departed from Mumbai carrying 2 million doses to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo and 2 million doses to Morocco on Royal Air Maroc.
These consignments are the first commercial ones, and before this, India had already sent multiple vaccines as gifts and a sign of its “Neighbourhood First” Policy which include COVID-19 vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. Even these countries have shared their gratitude towards India for its excellent vaccine diplomacy.
On Saturday, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recognised the efforts of India and even though being allegedly inclined to China, had to thank India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the support to the global COVID-19 response. “Thank you #India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for your continued support to the global #COVID19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods,” Ghebreyesus tweeted.
The official Twitter account of the US Department of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) also shared a post lauding and recognising India’s significant contribution towards global health by sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia and beyond.
“We applaud India’s role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia. India’s free shipments of the vaccine began w/Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and will extend to others. India’s a true friend using its pharma to help the global community,” the tweet read.
