Facts:
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India is one of the world’s largest vaccine producers.
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60% of global vaccine production comes from India.
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Indian producers supply 1.5 billion doses annually to more than 150 countries.
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India is the largest supplier of the DPT, BCG and Measles vaccines globally.
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WHO sources 70% of its essential immunisation vaccines from India.
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Vaccine Diplomacy: It is the use of vaccines to increase a country’s diplomatic relationship with other countries.
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India will supply Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines to its neighbouring and key partner countries under its Neighbourhood First policy.
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Bhutan and Maldives will be the first to get the vaccines followed by Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles.
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Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius will also get doses once they give necessary regulatory approvals.
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Pakistan has not been named as a neighbouring country which will get the vaccine.
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Vaccine will be Supplied to the partner countries in a phased manner, keeping in mind the demand.
Earlier Diplomacy measures by India:
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India had earlier supplied Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and Paracetamol tablets as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries during the pandemic.
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Under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials(PACT) programme, India has also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities