As Pakistan is all set to receive 17 million AstraZeneca’s vaccine, India on Tuesday (2 February) invited Pakistan’s diplomats for the phase-wise COVID-19 vaccination drive.
The invite to Pakistani diplomats is the part of the government’s offer to the entire foreign diplomatic community, based in Delhi which is now seen in Pakistan as a slap on the face. Though privately many influential people in Pakistan want to get there hands on the Indian vaccine as they do not trust the Chinese vaccine.
However, the Pakistan government is yet to decide if its diplomats will take part in India’s vaccination drive as it is still very upset that India did not extend the same support it has extended to all its neighbours by supplying free vaccine.
In December 2020, more than 50 foreign envoys were taken to Hyderabad to showcase India’s vaccine production centres at two biotech companies–Bharat Biotech and Biological E.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release, “India’s R&D facilities, manufacturing capacity, foreign collaborations, etc. in the fields of pharmaceuticals, including vaccine production, were highlighted…India is committed to partnering with all interested countries in vaccine-related efforts, in the service of humanity.”
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.