India to gift 2 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to UN Peacekeeping forces

India on Wednesday announced a gift of 2 lakh doses of vaccines to UN Peacekeeping forces. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the announcement while delivering an address at the UNSC Open Debate on the fight against Covid.

“Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them,” Jaishankar told the UN Security Council in a virtual address.

Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Jaishankar said, “Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.”

Shortly after the announcement, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti tweeted, “Protecting the Protectors! External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar announces a gift of 200,000 doses of vaccines for UN peacekeepers at #UNSC. India responds immediately to request of @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres.”

Jaishankar told the Council that India, the pharmacy of the world, has provided critical medicines, diagnostic kits, ventilators and PPEs to more than 150 countries, about 80 of them on a grant basis.

“Today, the pharmacy of the world is stepping forward to meet the global vaccines challenge,” he said, adding that two vaccines, including one indigenously developed, have already been granted emergency authorisation. Additionally, as many as 30 candidates are under various stages of development.