India is giving away millions of free vaccine doses to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar and Seychelles. The result is a form of vaccine diplomacy that appears to be unlike any other in the world. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-vaccine-diplomacy/2021/01/21/0d5f0494-5b49-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are next on the list. Conspicuously absent: Pakistan, which Indian officials say has not requested doses. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” an official said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-vaccine-diplomacy/2021/01/21/0d5f0494-5b49-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
Several countries are using vaccine production as a route to enhance their global influence. But the Indian government seems to be the first to deliver multiple gifts to neighboring countries. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-vaccine-diplomacy/2021/01/21/0d5f0494-5b49-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
Some doubt the initiative will have lasting impact. “You have neighbors who resent India’s overweening ways as it is,” said Manoj Joshi of @orfonline. “I don’t think they’re going to be so terribly grateful that they forget all that.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-vaccine-diplomacy/2021/01/21/0d5f0494-5b49-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
Lotay Tshering, Bhutan’s prime minister, said the Bhutanese people were “immensely grateful” for the doses from India. “It is of unimaginable value when precious commodities are shared even before meeting your own needs.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-vaccine-diplomacy/2021/01/21/0d5f0494-5b49-11eb-a849-6f9423a75ffd_story.html
***forgot to include Mauritius in the first tweet!