Since India’s internal crisis is over, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami announced today that his country will resume vaccine delivery abroad as soon as possible, and Bangladesh will receive the agreed vaccines as New Delhi’s “priority partner.”
“As soon as possible, we can resume (vaccine supply)… Bangladesh is a high-priority partner, and the country has already committed to purchasing the vaccine, he said.
“We merely said until the issue in India is over,” the Indian envoy said, adding that New Delhi never declared it would not give the vaccine to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh had ordered 30 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from Serum Institute of India (SII) through Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BPL), but after delivering 7 million doses to Dhaka, New Delhi halted the shipment of the vaccine.
In a ceremony at State Guest House Padma in the capital, the Indian high commissioner made the remarks while formally handing over 31 ‘Life Support’ ambulances and roughly 20 tonnes of crucial medical supplies as gifts to foreign minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen.
The ambulances were the first in a series of 109 Life Support Ambulances that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during a state visit to the United States in March.
“Within the constraints of our capabilities and in a manner that is sustainable, India remains committed to doing everything it can as a close partner (of Bangladesh) and a civilizational friend,” he added.
As part of humanity’s fight against the Coronavirus, Doraiswami stated India has constantly prioritized regional and international cooperation, including through legislative measures, capacity building, and cross-border medical supply flows.
