US Vice President Kamala Harris hails India's commitment to democracy and freedom, while also lauding the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme, ahead of her bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi. Watch this report for more details.

US VP Kamala Harris lauds India's 'Vaccine Maitri' programme

India's neighborhood will get the first consignments of Covid vaccines as New Delhi on Monday announced the resumption of vaccine export initiative, Vaccine Maitri. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Health minister Mansukh Mandviya said, "In the 4th quarter, after completing our needs, we will produce more. Excess production will help in taking Vaccine Maitri forward. In the 4th quarter under the Vaccine Maitri, we will help the world and fulfill our responsibilities with the COVAX." &nbsp;

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Breaking: India announces resumption of vaccine maitri (Covid vaccine export). Indian health minister <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mansukhmandviya</a> announces resumption from 4th Quarter of this year. <a href="https://t.co/svyEtXduBm">pic.twitter.com/svyEtXduBm</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1439913873830825990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The minister explained that in September, Indian companies will produce 260 million doses of the Covid vaccines. India has also steadily increased vaccination as the authorities have administered over 808.5 million vaccine doses so far. &nbsp;

India began ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to Maldives, Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/do-your-own-research-four-words-hurting-us-response-to-covid-says-report-414459" hreflang="en">'Do your own research': Four words hurting US response to Covid, says report</a>

India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on January 16. The initiative was suspended as India grappled with second wave of deadly Covid pandemic in April.&nbsp;

So far under the initiative, India has sent vaccines to 95 countries of the world. The total amount of vaccines supplied so far is 66.3698 million doses-- of which, 10.715 million doses have been via grant, 35.792 million doses commercially and 19.8628 million doses to COVAX.&nbsp;

India's neighborhood will get the first consignments of Covid vaccines as New Delhi on Monday announced the resumption of vaccine export initiative, Vaccine Maitri.

India's neighborhood will get the first consignments of Covid vaccines as New Delhi on Monday announced the resumption of vaccine export initiative, Vaccine Maitri. Health minister Mansukh Mandviya said, "In the 4th quarter, after completing our needs, we will produce more. Excess production will help in taking Vaccine Maitri forward. In the 4th quarter under the Vaccine Maitri, we will help the world and fulfill our responsibilities with the COVAX." Breaking: India announces resumption of vaccine maitri (Covid vaccine export). Indian health minister @mansukhmandviya announces resumption from 4th Quarter of this year. pic.twitter.com/svyEtXduBm — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) September 20, 2021 × The minister explained that in September, Indian companies will produce 260 million doses of the Covid vaccines. India has also steadily increased vaccination as the authorities have administered over 808.5 million vaccine doses so far. India began ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to Maldives, Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. Also Read | 'Do your own research': Four words hurting US response to Covid, says report India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on January 16. The initiative was suspended as India grappled with second wave of deadly Covid pandemic in April. So far under the initiative, India has sent vaccines to 95 countries of the world. The total amount of vaccines supplied so far is 66.3698 million doses-- of which, 10.715 million doses have been via grant, 35.792 million doses commercially and 19.8628 million doses to COVAX.

Neighbourhood to get first tranche as India announces resumption of Covid vaccine export  

India's Ministry of external affairs has dismissed media reports quoting Taiwan Foreign Minister&nbsp;Joseph Wu that Taipei's intervention led to Paraguay getting vaccines from India.

In response to a question, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "&nbsp;I would like to confirm that no third party was involved in" New Delhi sending vaccines to the south American country.&nbsp;

On March 26, India sent 100,000 doses of India-made Covid vaccines to the South American country. This came in the backdrop of a request from&nbsp;Paraguay during a telephonic conversation between its foreign minister and India's External Affairs Minister Dr&nbsp;S Jaishankar. Earlier this year, India announced that it will open its embassy in the country.&nbsp;

Media reports quoting Taiwan's foreign minister had said that its intervention and working together with "like-minded countries" led to Paraguay getting vaccines.

Paraguay has ties with Taiwan and doesn't recognise China, which considers Taiwan its breakaway territory. Paraguay is the largest country&nbsp;in terms of size to recognise Taiwan.

Taipei, keen to help its ally reached out to New Delhi, the foreign minister had indicated.

India's Ministry of external affairs has dismissed media reports quoting Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu that Taipei's intervention led to Paraguay getting vaccines from India.

India's Ministry of external affairs has dismissed media reports quoting Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu that Taipei's intervention led to Paraguay getting vaccines from India. In response to a question, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, " I would like to confirm that no third party was involved in" New Delhi sending vaccines to the south American country. On March 26, India sent 100,000 doses of India-made Covid vaccines to the South American country. This came in the backdrop of a request from Paraguay during a telephonic conversation between its foreign minister and India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Earlier this year, India announced that it will open its embassy in the country. Media reports quoting Taiwan's foreign minister had said that its intervention and working together with "like-minded countries" led to Paraguay getting vaccines. Paraguay has ties with Taiwan and doesn't recognise China, which considers Taiwan its breakaway territory. Paraguay is the largest country in terms of size to recognise Taiwan. Taipei, keen to help its ally reached out to New Delhi, the foreign minister had indicated.

No third party involved, says India on sending vaccines to Paraguay

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got&nbsp;a consignment of 100,000 doses.&nbsp;

The vaccines were handed over by India's acting high commissioner Saifullah Khan to Fiji's Prime Minister Admiral (Retd) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Nadi International Airport.&nbsp;Fiji's Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, Defence minister Inia Seruiratu, Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services James Fong and other top officials were also present.

Fiji's prime minister thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, tweeting, "Vinaka [thank you]&nbsp;to my friend, @narendramodi , for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaccineMaitri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaccineMaitri</a> has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
Vinaka to my friend, <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. <a href="https://t.co/xlWdm04Nvs">pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs</a>
— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/FijiPM/status/1376455082242269190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"In a bleak year for multilateralism, you’ve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics that’s kept valuable vaccines in the world’s largest &amp; richest countries," he added.

India has sent vaccines to other countries in the Pacific, including to Solomon Islands. India has also dispatched the doses to the Caribbean.

The Indian high commission&nbsp;said in a release: "India and Fiji share longstanding partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation and cultural ties. Fiji is an important partner for realising the Indo- Pacific vision that envisages a free, open and inclusive region in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity."

India began its Vaccine Maitri drive in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to the Maldives and Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on 16th January.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "Since the launch of Vaccine Maitri, we have supplied 64 million doses of vaccines to 82 countries. This includes supplies under a grant, commercial contracts and the COVAX facility [the global vaccine access initiative spearheaded by World Health Organization]."

India's vaccine initiative is expected to get a booster shot, with Quad countries - India, US, Australia, Japan- agreeing after the first leadership summit in March that India's vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to produce more doses for the Indo-Pacific region.

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got a consignment of 100,000 doses.

India's coronavirus vaccine outreach, or Vaccine Maitri, is continuing with full gusto, with the latest entrant being Fiji, which got a consignment of 100,000 doses. The vaccines were handed over by India's acting high commissioner Saifullah Khan to Fiji's Prime Minister Admiral (Retd) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Nadi International Airport. Fiji's Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, Defence minister Inia Seruiratu, Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services James Fong and other top officials were also present. Fiji's prime minister thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, tweeting, "Vinaka [thank you] to my friend, @narendramodi , for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world." #VaccineMaitri has arrived to Fiji with 100k doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. Vinaka to my friend, @narendramodi, for helping us take this giant step towards a post-pandemic future for Fiji and for the world. pic.twitter.com/xlWdm04Nvs — Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) March 29, 2021 × "In a bleak year for multilateralism, you’ve helped put a welcome pause on the pandemic politics that’s kept valuable vaccines in the world’s largest & richest countries," he added. India has sent vaccines to other countries in the Pacific, including to Solomon Islands. India has also dispatched the doses to the Caribbean. The Indian high commission said in a release: "India and Fiji share longstanding partnership based on mutual respect, cooperation and cultural ties. Fiji is an important partner for realising the Indo- Pacific vision that envisages a free, open and inclusive region in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity." India began its Vaccine Maitri drive in January, with the first tranche of Indian vaccines being sent to the Maldives and Bhutan, followed by other countries in the neighbourhood. India's vaccine outreach to the world started within four days of it starting its mega domestic vaccination programme on 16th January. Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "Since the launch of Vaccine Maitri, we have supplied 64 million doses of vaccines to 82 countries. This includes supplies under a grant, commercial contracts and the COVAX facility [the global vaccine access initiative spearheaded by World Health Organization]." India's vaccine initiative is expected to get a booster shot, with Quad countries - India, US, Australia, Japan- agreeing after the first leadership summit in March that India's vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to produce more doses for the Indo-Pacific region.

India sends COVID-19 vaccines to over 80 countries, Fiji the latest entrant

Nepal army received 100,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine from their Indian counterparts in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Nine packages of COVISHIELD vaccine, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, was received by Nepali army officials at the Kathmandu airport.

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100,000 doses of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadeInIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadeInIndia</a> Covid-19 vaccine gifted by Indian Army to the Nepali Army were received at Tribhuwan Airport today. 
 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaccineMaitri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaccineMaitri</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaNepalFriendship?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaNepalFriendship</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeighbourhoodFirst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NeighbourhoodFirst</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COAS</a> 
<a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adgpi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pmoindia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@meaindia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thenepalesearmy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thenepalesearmy</a> <a href="https://t.co/TtlWWvV4UH">pic.twitter.com/TtlWWvV4UH</a>
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaInNepal/status/1376187960475848716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Assisting in fight against COVID-19 pandemic, one lakh doses of vaccine for Nepal Army being provided by Indian Army has arrived in Kathmandu today. Its formal handover is scheduled to take place in a few days," Santosh Ballav Paudel, spokesperson for Nepal Army tweeted on Sunday evening.

Wedged between India and China, the Himalayan country has already received more than 2.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India.

With procured vaccine and that on grant assistance, Nepal to date has vaccinated about 1.6 million of its citizens and is expected to vaccinate over 70 per cent of the population by end of the year.

Nepal army received 100,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine from their Indian counterparts in Kathmandu on Sunday. Nine packages of COVISHIELD vaccine, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, was received by Nepali army officials at the Kathmandu airport.

Nepal army received 100,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine from their Indian counterparts in Kathmandu on Sunday. Nine packages of COVISHIELD vaccine, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, was received by Nepali army officials at the Kathmandu airport. 100,000 doses of #MadeInIndia Covid-19 vaccine gifted by Indian Army to the Nepali Army were received at Tribhuwan Airport today. #VaccineMaitri #IndiaNepalFriendship #NeighbourhoodFirst #COAS @adgpi @pmoindia @meaindia @thenepalesearmy pic.twitter.com/TtlWWvV4UH — IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) March 28, 2021 × "Assisting in fight against COVID-19 pandemic, one lakh doses of vaccine for Nepal Army being provided by Indian Army has arrived in Kathmandu today. Its formal handover is scheduled to take place in a few days," Santosh Ballav Paudel, spokesperson for Nepal Army tweeted on Sunday evening. Wedged between India and China, the Himalayan country has already received more than 2.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India. With procured vaccine and that on grant assistance, Nepal to date has vaccinated about 1.6 million of its citizens and is expected to vaccinate over 70 per cent of the population by end of the year.

Nepal army receives 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from India

Federal Secretary of Pakistan's National Health Services Aamir Ashraf Khawaja on Thursday informed that the Islamic Republic is going to receive 45 million doses of Indian manufactured Covid-19 vaccine during March. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Khawaja said that the doses would be received under an agreement with Vaccine alliance Gavi, said reports.

Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) is a public-private global health partnership to increase access to immunisation in poor countries.

It was created in the year 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world's poorest countries.

Out of the total, 16 million would be received by June this year. Pakistan will get free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, which would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of the country.

India is supplying the COVID-19 vaccine to 65 countries. While many foreign nations have received the vaccine on a grant basis, others have paid the price set by the Indian government.

Till now, all of India's neighbours, barring Pakistan, have been supplied with vaccines by New Delhi. Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh began their vaccination drive using India-made vaccines.

Last week, when Afghanistan started its vaccination drive with healthcare workers and members of the Afghan military, President Ashraf Ghani said, "India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country, but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood."

India had started its mega domestic vaccination in January and since then more than 1.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered.

(With inputs from agencies)

Federal Secretary of Pakistan's National Health Services Aamir Ashraf Khawaja on Thursday informed that the Islamic Republic is going to receive 45 million doses of Indian manufactured Covid-19 vaccine during March.

Federal Secretary of Pakistan's National Health Services Aamir Ashraf Khawaja on Thursday informed that the Islamic Republic is going to receive 45 million doses of Indian manufactured Covid-19 vaccine during March. Khawaja said that the doses would be received under an agreement with Vaccine alliance Gavi, said reports. Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) is a public-private global health partnership to increase access to immunisation in poor countries. It was created in the year 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world's poorest countries. Out of the total, 16 million would be received by June this year. Pakistan will get free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, which would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of the country. India is supplying the COVID-19 vaccine to 65 countries. While many foreign nations have received the vaccine on a grant basis, others have paid the price set by the Indian government. Till now, all of India's neighbours, barring Pakistan, have been supplied with vaccines by New Delhi. Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh began their vaccination drive using India-made vaccines. Last week, when Afghanistan started its vaccination drive with healthcare workers and members of the Afghan military, President Ashraf Ghani said, "India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country, but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood." India had started its mega domestic vaccination in January and since then more than 1.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan to receive 45 million doses of 'Made in India' Covid-19 vaccines

India has supplied 464.29 lakh made-in-India Covid vaccines to 47 countries as of Thursday, an outreach that has won genuine goodwill for New Delhi in many parts of the world.

Of these vaccine doses, 71.25 lakh were supplied as gift, and 393.04 lakh commercially.&nbsp;The countries that have got India's vaccines both developed and developing countries, from Africa to the Caribbean to ASEAN and in the neighborhood.

On Wednesday, India-made vaccines reached Canada, with the country getting 500,000. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India will be sending 1.5 million more doses of&nbsp;Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;In a tweet, India's envoy to Canada Ajay Bisaria said, "India is proud to support Canada’s vaccination programme as a strategic partner."

&nbsp;

One of India's significant outreach efforts has been to CARICOM, or Caribbean countries such as Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia, St&nbsp;Kitts &amp; Nevis, St&nbsp;Vincent &amp; Grenadines, and Antigua &amp; Barbuda.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Lauding India's generosity,&nbsp;Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said,&nbsp;"PM Narendra Modi has demonstrated perhaps the most significant of benevolence, kindness and certainly of empathy" that "we would have seen in the recent times, compared to any act of any other leader globally".

"I have to admit that this is easily one of the most notable acts of benevolence that we have seen in the last 100 years," he added.

Other Caribbean leaders also thanked India, with&nbsp;Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley tweeting, "PM Modi @narendramodi made it possible for more than 40K persons in Barbados and tens of thousands elsewhere, to receive their 1st dose of COVISHIELD via #VaccineMaitri before receiving his. A genuine demonstration of generosity. Thank you and we wish you continued good health."

Caribbean countries included a special thanks to India in a resolution adopted by the Organisation of American States (OAS) - a group of 34 countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

&nbsp;

At a time of vaccine nationalism,&nbsp;CARICOM's envoy to the OAS permanent council, Ambassador Ronald Sanders said, "India has demonstrated that it is a caring nation and is an example to the world in international cooperation at a time of global crisis. Further, India has not sought to extract any conditions for its generosity to countries that have no vaccines. India will be remembered by the Caribbean with great gratitude."

Indian High Commissioner accredited to the CARICOM Secretariat Dr KJ Srinivasa explained&nbsp;that the statement seems to echo the general sentiments of the CARICOM region. He told WION, "India’s role as the first responder during crises and as the “pharmacy of the world” are now recognised throughout the region and this #VaccineMaitri will go a long way in further consolidating India’s role as a world leader."

&nbsp;

Eleven countries have got India-made vaccines under the COVAX facility. Ten of them are from&nbsp;Africa-- Ghana, Ivory Coast, Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan and one from ASEAN--Cambodia.

All of India's neighbors, barring Pakistan, have been supplied with vaccines by New Delhi. In fact, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh began their vaccination drive using India-made vaccines.

Last week, when Afghanistan started its vaccination drive with healthcare workers and members of the Afghan military, President Ashraf&nbsp;Ghani said,&nbsp;"India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of&nbsp;vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country, but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood."

India had started its mega domestic vaccination in January and since then more than 1.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered.

India has supplied 464.29 lakh made-in-India Covid vaccines to 47 countries as of Thursday, an outreach that has won genuine goodwill for New Delhi in many parts of the world.

India has supplied 464.29 lakh made-in-India Covid vaccines to 47 countries as of Thursday, an outreach that has won genuine goodwill for New Delhi in many parts of the world. Of these vaccine doses, 71.25 lakh were supplied as gift, and 393.04 lakh commercially. The countries that have got India's vaccines both developed and developing countries, from Africa to the Caribbean to ASEAN and in the neighborhood. On Wednesday, India-made vaccines reached Canada, with the country getting 500,000. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India will be sending 1.5 million more doses of Covishield vaccine. In a tweet, India's envoy to Canada Ajay Bisaria said, "India is proud to support Canada’s vaccination programme as a strategic partner." One of India's significant outreach efforts has been to CARICOM, or Caribbean countries such as Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & Grenadines, and Antigua & Barbuda. Lauding India's generosity, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said, "PM Narendra Modi has demonstrated perhaps the most significant of benevolence, kindness and certainly of empathy" that "we would have seen in the recent times, compared to any act of any other leader globally". "I have to admit that this is easily one of the most notable acts of benevolence that we have seen in the last 100 years," he added. Other Caribbean leaders also thanked India, with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley tweeting, "PM Modi @narendramodi made it possible for more than 40K persons in Barbados and tens of thousands elsewhere, to receive their 1st dose of COVISHIELD via #VaccineMaitri before receiving his. A genuine demonstration of generosity. Thank you and we wish you continued good health." Caribbean countries included a special thanks to India in a resolution adopted by the Organisation of American States (OAS) - a group of 34 countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. At a time of vaccine nationalism, CARICOM's envoy to the OAS permanent council, Ambassador Ronald Sanders said, "India has demonstrated that it is a caring nation and is an example to the world in international cooperation at a time of global crisis. Further, India has not sought to extract any conditions for its generosity to countries that have no vaccines. India will be remembered by the Caribbean with great gratitude." Indian High Commissioner accredited to the CARICOM Secretariat Dr KJ Srinivasa explained that the statement seems to echo the general sentiments of the CARICOM region. He told WION, "India’s role as the first responder during crises and as the “pharmacy of the world” are now recognised throughout the region and this #VaccineMaitri will go a long way in further consolidating India’s role as a world leader." Eleven countries have got India-made vaccines under the COVAX facility. Ten of them are from Africa-- Ghana, Ivory Coast, Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan and one from ASEAN--Cambodia. All of India's neighbors, barring Pakistan, have been supplied with vaccines by New Delhi. In fact, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh began their vaccination drive using India-made vaccines. Last week, when Afghanistan started its vaccination drive with healthcare workers and members of the Afghan military, President Ashraf Ghani said, "India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country, but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood." India had started its mega domestic vaccination in January and since then more than 1.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered.

India sends Covid vaccines to 47 countries; Canada gets 500,000

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday praised India for its gesture of providing vaccine doses to South Africa.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lets-remain-united-sachin-tendulkar-urges-people-to-not-fall-for-propaganda-amid-farmers-protest-361115" hreflang="en">Let's remain united: Sachin Tendulkar urges people to not fall for propaganda amid farmers protest</a>

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took to Twitter to announce that the vaccines have arrived in Johannesburg. He said: "In it together. Made in India vaccines land in Johannesburg, South Africa. &nbsp;#VaccineMaitri"

Pietersen took to social media and thanked India for the gesture and said: "Indian generosity and kindness grows more and more every single day. The beloved country!"

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In it together. 
Made in India vaccines land in Johannesburg, South Africa. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaccineMaitri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaccineMaitri</a> <a href="https://t.co/O9kWj6qVV9">pic.twitter.com/O9kWj6qVV9</a>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1356234844850819073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In another tweet, the English batsman said: "India has taught me so much and also given me so much, throughout my career. I’ve felt the love, passion, energy and hospitality that not many other countries can compare with. The world is seeing its care with the delivery of the vaccine to SA this week."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the English batsman and said: "Glad to see your affection towards India. :) We believe that the world is our family and want to play our role in strengthening the fight against COVID-19."

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Glad to see your affection towards India. :) 
 
We believe that the world is our family and want to play our role in strengthening the fight against COVID-19. <a href="https://t.co/zwpB3CNxLG">https://t.co/zwpB3CNxLG</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1356980689531400192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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As per ‘Vaccine Maitri‘ (vaccine friendship) initiative, India will be delivering doses of COVID-19 vaccine to its neighbours. The country has so far provided vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Seychelles, Algeria and Mauritius.

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday praised India for its gesture of providing vaccine doses to South Africa. ALSO READ: Let's remain united: Sachin Tendulkar urges people to not fall for propaganda amid farmers protest India's External Affairs Minister S.

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday praised India for its gesture of providing vaccine doses to South Africa. ALSO READ: Let's remain united: Sachin Tendulkar urges people to not fall for propaganda amid farmers protest India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took to Twitter to announce that the vaccines have arrived in Johannesburg. He said: "In it together. Made in India vaccines land in Johannesburg, South Africa. #VaccineMaitri" Pietersen took to social media and thanked India for the gesture and said: "Indian generosity and kindness grows more and more every single day. The beloved country!" In it together. Made in India vaccines land in Johannesburg, South Africa. #VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/O9kWj6qVV9 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 1, 2021 × In another tweet, the English batsman said: "India has taught me so much and also given me so much, throughout my career. I’ve felt the love, passion, energy and hospitality that not many other countries can compare with. The world is seeing its care with the delivery of the vaccine to SA this week." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the English batsman and said: "Glad to see your affection towards India. :) We believe that the world is our family and want to play our role in strengthening the fight against COVID-19." Glad to see your affection towards India. :) We believe that the world is our family and want to play our role in strengthening the fight against COVID-19. https://t.co/zwpB3CNxLG — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2021 × As per ‘Vaccine Maitri‘ (vaccine friendship) initiative, India will be delivering doses of COVID-19 vaccine to its neighbours. The country has so far provided vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Seychelles, Algeria and Mauritius.

Kevin Pietersen expresses his gratitude towards India; PM Modi replies

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