India approves 100,000 Covishield doses for China ally Cambodia

NEW DELHI: India Friday approved on an urgent basis 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccine for Cambodia, China’s Asean ally, taking its vaccine diplomacy deep into southeast Asia. Despite having received a million doses from China, Cambodian PM Hun Sen had earlier requested India for the vaccine saying that vaccines from China alone wouldn’t be enough to meet Cambodia’s requirements.

Hun Sen had made the request to PM Narendra Modi in a meeting with Indian ambassador Devyani Khobragade, officials said.

According to the Indian embassy in Phnom Penh, the supply has been assured through the Serum Institute of India despite innumerable competing requests from partner countries and India’s commitment to domestic population. “The decision is a testament to India’s appreciation of Cambodia as an important partner and its concern for the health and prosperity of the people of Cambodia,” said the embassy. The approval though is for contract purchase and not donation.

Cambodia is seen as a staunch China ally within Asean, as a country which aligns with Beijing on all major foreign policy issues and promotes China’s strategic interests.

India has so far supplied vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait and South Africa. Supplies made under grant amount to 56 lakh doses and commercial supplies amount to over 100 lakh doses, said the MEA Thursday.

“External supplies of vaccines are an ongoing process, depending on availability and domestic requirements. In coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries (the Caribbean), Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Mongolia, etc,” said the spokesperson Thursday. (Agency)