India announces gift of 2,00,000 doses of COVID vaccine for UN peacekeepers

United Nations, Feb 17: India, hailed as the pharmacy of the world, on Wednesday announced a gift of 2,00,000 COVID-19 doses for UN peacekeepers.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the announcement at the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 2,00,000 doses for them,” Jaishankar told the UN Security Council in a virtual address.
Quoting the Bhagvad Gita, Jaishankar said, “Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.”
He told the meeting that it is this spirit in which India approaches the COVID challenge and urged the Council to work collectively to address its different dimensions.
Jaishankar said India is working actively with GAVI, World Health Organisation and ACT Accelerator and its contribution has also supported the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
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 2,00,000 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 been very much at the forefront of the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
India earlier provided critical medicines, diagnostic kits, ventilators and PPEs to more than 150 countries, about 80 of them on a grant basis.
Under India’s initiative of “Vaccine Maitri”, which translates into Vaccine Friendship, the country is providing vaccines to the world and is a significant source of supply to the COVAX facility.
In addition, India is also directly sending vaccines to friends and partners. (PTI)