'India's COVID-19 vaccination plan gives great hope to us': Nepal Foreign Minister Gyawali

Nepal Foreign Minister Preep Kumar Gyawali said on Friday that India is at forefront in vaccinating people against COVID-19, which gives great hope to country next door. He said Nepal too will be availing India's Covishield and Covaxin vaccines.

"Today as we wait for availability of COVID-19 vaccines, India is one of frontrunners. This has given us great hope. I take this opportunity to congratulate India and its invative companies for success. Being next door, we believe we too will be availing se vaccines," Gyawali said in a speech during an event organized by Indian Council of World Affairs at Sapru House.

Nepal Minister also praised India's achievements in infrastructure, industrialization, and deces of successful democratic practice. "Amity with all and enmity with ne is our motto. Guided by same principles we seek to foresee relations with neighbours and all friendly countries around world," Gyawali said.

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Nepal awaits India's Covishield vaccine

India and Nepal held a Joint Commission meeting on Friday which was co-chaired by Gyawali and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Congratulating India "on remarkable success" in production of Covishield and Covaxin, Nepal requested for early provision of vaccines.

As per a release from Nepal Embassy, India has assured that requirements of neighbouring country would be in prioritized after vaccine roll-out. Nepal has approved emergency use of Covishield vaccine, which is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII). India has given emergency use authorization to two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin. Coronavirus vaccination drive begins on January 16.

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(With inputs from ncy)