New Delhi: First supplies of vaccines to combat the covid-19 pandemic from India will be sent to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from 20 January, the Indian foreign ministry said on Tuesday, with consignments to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius to commence after regulatory clearances from these countries come in.The move, which comes within days of India beginning its own immunization programme, underlines India’s primacy in the South Asia region besides reinforce its image as being “the pharmacy" of the world.
India is seen as one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines and generic drugs in the world.The Indian government will also conduct a training programme, covering administrative and operational.