India keen to resume COVID-19 vaccine export to Bangladesh soon, informs envoy

On Sunday, June 20, India's Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami said that country is keen to resume  export of COVID-19 vaccines to Dhaka as soon as possible, but re is word yet when it will resume  export. In March, India had given 1.2 million free doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Bangladesh. 

"We hope problem will be resolved soon," Doraiswami told reporters after a meeting with Awami Jubo League Chairman Fazle Shams Parash in Bangladesh, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Doraiswami added, " corona situation in India is still at a dangerous st. So we are t yet able to say exact time of giving vaccines to Bangladesh".

Awami Jubo League Chairman Fazle Shams Parash thanks India

On or hand, Parash recalled India's crucial help during 1971 Liberation War and said India has always been by Bangladesh's side in everything. "India is our friend of bad days and partner in good days as well," he said.

Parash said that he discussed with Indian envoy about current coronavirus situation in India.

According to Dhaka Tribune, Doraiswami watched two documentaries on humanitarian activities of ruling party's youth wing during COVID-19 pandemic.

Bangladesh had started its iculation drive against coronavirus with Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine procured from India at USD 5 per dose. However, due to devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India, vaccine exports have temporarily come to a halt.

India exports COVID vaccine to Bangladesh

Bangladesh had signed a deal in vember with Serum Institute of India, world’s biggest vaccine maker, for 30 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.

country of more than 160 million people has already received 9 million vaccine doses from Serum. India has also previously gifted 2 million doses of shot to Bangladesh that Serum was producing for many countries.

COVID situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is experiencing an alarming rise in fresh COVID-19 related deaths and new cases. health authorities had also detected presence of Delta variant of coronavirus, which is highly contagious.

To date, Bangladesh has reported a total of 8.48 lakh active COVID cases with 7.8 lakh recoveries and 13,466 deaths. 

(With ANI input)

(Im credit: PTI/AP/UNSPALSH)