India gives priority on availability of anti Covid vaccines for Myanmar

New Delhi: India is putting priority on availability of anti Covid vaccines for Myanmar as well as joint production of vaccines with Myanmar for SE Asian country with which Delhi shares both land and maritime boundaries.

In accordance with India’s neighborhood first and act east policies, India and Myanmar held their first round of discussions on the possible opportunities for collaboration in the COVID vaccine. Officials from Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Public Health, Myanmar participated in these discussions

During Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Myanmar, both sides had agreed to deepen cooperation to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign Secretary had also presented 3000 vials of Remdesivir to the State Counsellor, symbolic of India’s commitment to assist Myanmar in its fight against the pandemic. He had indicated India’s willingness to prioritize Myanmar in sharing vaccines as and when these become available.

Also India has offered e-ITEC courses relating to COVID-19 pandemic to Myanmar that have been conducted by premier Indian Institutes such as AIIMS (Raipur, Bhubaneshwar and Jodhpur), PGI Chandigarh . Those have been well received in Myanmar, sources said.