New Delhi, India (CU)_ Despite geographical constraints, India is looking at the idea of supplying Covid-19 vaccines to South American and Caribbean countries as part of the government’s goal to strengthen connections with the region. According to sources familiar with the situation, the government is planning to provide both Covishield and Covaxin vaccine doses.
After a recent discussion with the delegates from South America and the Caribbean in Delhi, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that India is willing to export vaccines. Regarding his meeting with the ambassadors from the region, he tweeted, “There is a strong potential to deepen our partnership in various areas, especially in healthcare and pharmaceuticals”. He added in his Twitter message that India will be pleased to sell Covid-19 vaccines and exchange its digital health initiatives.
During the discussion with ambassadors, Mandaviya spoke about India’s willingness to donate Covid-19 vaccines and other medical supplies to the countries in need. He said, “India is driven by the philosophy of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ which has inspired us to gift Covid-19 vaccines, Hydroxychloroquine and other medical necessities to all our friends. Further, India is willing to supply Covishield and Covaxin to all the countries present”.
In the beginning of the year, India became the first country to offer Covid-19 vaccines to minor Caribbean nations. Several nations in the area may begin their immunization campaigns with the support of India’s Vaccine Maitri Initiative, which distributed vaccines to low-income countries. The Caribbean nations such as Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Guyana, Barbados, Grenada, and Suriname were featured on the list. India has chosen to open two new embassies in the area in order to expand its presence in the region.
According to sources familiar with the situation, South America has the potential to become a major market for the Indian pharmaceutical sector, particularly Covid-19 vaccines, and this could be achieved through cooperative collaboration in the future. The pharmaceutical business of the region is around $65 billion, and the governments of the region seek to minimize their reliance on China.
India is South America’s fifth largest provider of medicines. In 2020-2021, pharmaceutical exports to South America increased 14.5% annually to $1,196 million. According to the trade ministry, the following are the top countries for India’s pharmaceutical exports: Brazil ($317 million), Peru ($128 million), Chile ($123 million), Colombia ($68 million), Dominican Republic ($54 million), Venezuela ($51 million), Guatemala ($48 million), Bolivia ($29 million), and Ecuador ($28 million).
