India has emerged as the key supplier of coronavirus vaccine across the world. From providing free doses under its ‘Vaccine Maitri’ programme to the commercial shipments of millions to neighbouring countries, India stood true to its name of pharmacy of the world. Keeping up the same spirit, External Affair Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday announced at the UN Security Council open debate on implementation of resolution 2532(2020) on on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that India will gift 200,000 vaccine doses to UN peacekeepers.
“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.
In his address, the minister also quoted the Bhagvad Gita as he said, “Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.”
He also added that India has been working with the same spirit to tackle the coronavirus challenge while urging other countries to be there for each other in this hour of need.
The minister further said India is actively involved with GAVI, World Health Organisation and ACT Accelerator and its contribution has also supported the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
Just hours after Jaishankar’s 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.”
