A shipment of 100000 doses of India’s indigenous vaccine- Covaxin was received by Paraguay on Monday.

Citing Paraguay health ministry, Sputnik reported, “Paraguay receives 100000 doses of Covaxin vaccine from India. We guarantee the continued immunization against Covid19. Thanks to India for its support.”

EAM S Jaishankar stated about the arrival of Indian vaccines in the South American country. He stressed on the ‘Made in India’ nature of the vaccines and added, “Never too far for friendship. Made in India vaccines arrive in Paraguay.”

Over 2,09000 cases of Covid19 have been reported in Paraguay, and over 4063 have died of the infection.

Under the Vaccine-Maitri initiative, India has been supplying vaccines to countries across the world. And in this regard, India has provided vaccines to over 75 countries.

As per data available with MEA, over 638.81 lakh doses of vaccines have been provided by India to other countries.

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The provision of vaccines for Paraguay can be counted as a major win in vaccine-diplomacy of India. It is because the South American country has been facing an uphill task of procuring vaccines. And Paraguay was caught between fraught relations with China on one hand and US and Taiwan on another. China was offering Paraguay to sell its vaccine, but on the condition that it sever it’s ties with Taiwan.  US secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on a March 14 call, had discussed with Paraguay leadership and had tried to persuade the country to strengthen ties with partners like Taiwan, while Taipei has been trying to develop a Vaccine of its own, which is expected to be ready by June.

The Vaccines from India came as a breather for Paraguay caught between US and China.