Focus: GS-II International Relations
Why in news?
- The Union government is working on at least five distinct ways, ranging from free vaccines to guaranteed supply, in which it can help its immediate neighbours as well as countries in West Asia, Africa and even Latin America.
- The idea is to leverage the country’s standing as the world’s vaccine factory to consolidate diplomatic ties.
Details
- Indian companies are working on two vaccines which are currently in clinical trials.
- Though the arrangement will be largely for these vaccines, it might also include vaccines manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine maker, which has partnerships with three companies, including AstraZeneca.
- The countries will be carefully chosen to include key neighbours, nations where large number of Indians are working or studying, and those who have been very helpful and supportive of India in international forums such as the United Nations (UN).
The Five Models
- The first of the five models involve free distribution and might be restricted to a few immediate neighbours such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and other Saarc countries.
- The second model entails heavily subsidised vaccines being distributed to poor countries as a part of India’s international obligations.
- The third model involves recipient countries purchasing vaccines at the market price but being assured of supply.
- Under the fourth model, some countries will be approached to participate in Phase 3 trials of the two Indian candidates.
- In the fifth model, India may offer some countries opportunities to co-produce the two domestic vaccines — a move that could hasten production of these vaccines.
-Source: Hindustan Times
