New Delhi, Jan 28: India's dispatched consignments of Made in India COVID vaccines have reached Sri Lanka. This gift of COVID 19 vaccines to Sri Lanka is a part of India’s 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative under which India has gifted vaccines to seven other countries in the region. This humanitarian gesture amid the pandemic showcases India’s commitment to its 'Neighborhood First' Policy and SAGAR doctrine in which Sri Lanka has a prominent position. India has also dispatched consignments of Made in India COVID vaccines to Bahrain.

 

 

Sri Lanka is the eighth country to receive a gift of vaccines under India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative. Maldives, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles are the other countries that have received free vaccines from India. The delivery of the COVID 19 vaccines to Sri Lanka is a fulfillment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment made to his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa during the virtual bilateral summit held in Sep 2020, for all possible support to Sri Lanka to minimize the health and economic impact of the pandemic.

 

 

Besides the 'Neighborhood First' policy where India is gifting vaccine consignments to neighboring countries, India is also sending shipments to other countries on commercial lines. On the same lines, consignments were dispatched to Brazil and Morocco last week with doses of 2 million vaccines each. Further, Sri Lanka is also expected to purchase additional anti-Covid vaccines from India after it receives its gifted consignment.