All eyes on India: When will it resume exports of vaccines?

<p>
As India’s supply of Covid 19 vaccines eases, it could soon resume exports. Sources said that the situation is being monitored carefully and the exports of vaccines, especially to the neighbouring countries, will start but only after meeting the domestic demand. Vaccination drive in several countries including Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh had to be restrategised after India was caught in a grip of a severe second wave of Covid 19 and shortage of vaccines.</p>
<p>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also opened vaccination for all Indian adults to cope with the surge in the number of infections. India is now hoping to vaccinate 1 crore people per day by mid-July-August.</p>
<p>
“If this target is achieved, New Delhi will be in a position to resume supply of vaccines to other countries soon,” an insider said. However, he refused to give any timeframe.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/will-india-resume-supply-of-vaccines-to-other-countries-soon-93318.html">Will India resume supply of vaccines to other countries soon?</a></strong></p>
<p>
Meanwhile, Dhaka Tribune in a report said that Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami said that India is boosting its vaccine production</p>
<p>
According to the newspaper, Doraiswami told reporters after a meeting with Awami Jubo League Chairman Fazle Shams Parash, “We hope the problem will be resolved soon.”</p>
<p>
He said that the Covid 19 situation in India is still at a dangerous stage.</p>
<p>
“So we are not yet able to say the exact time of giving vaccines to Bangladesh," the newspaper quoted him as saying.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/nepal-s-oli-appeals-for-covid-help-but-will-big-pharma-play-ball-85489.html">Nepal’s Oli appeals for Covid help, but will Big Pharma play ball?</a></strong></p>
<p>
India had embarked on an aggressive drive of Vaccine Maitri, by supplying the life saving jabs to many countries. However, it had to cut the supply as the cases surged in the country. “Even as many countries faced problems due to the shortage of vaccines from India, there has been no diplomatic fallout with any of these nations as the situation was known to everyone,” the insider said.</p>
<p>
In fact earlier, Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, in a televised address said, "India has assured support (in the past). India is a reliable friend and will give the second dose if asked but given India's greater need to save lives, Bhutan should not pressure it".  </p>