India had been the leading producer and exporter of vaccines or bulk drugs. The pharma firms got approval in commercial exports of Covishield vaccines already. Now Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) became the first airport to export the vaccine to international destinations. The primary consignments were shipped to Brazil and Morocco on Friday.
Reports state that two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo. Brazil`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Embassy in New Delhi, had made arrangements with India and Serum Institute of India (SII) for the transportation of the vaccine.
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday (January 23) expressed heart felt thanks to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration in the country for facilitating the export of COVID-19 vaccines. President Bolsonaro tweeted an image of Hindu god Hanuman carrying the jabs from India to Brazil in correlation with the reference from the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Hanuman holds Sanjeevni plant to save Lakshman’s life.
“Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi! Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad!,” Bolsonaro tweeted.
To which, PM was delighted and honoured and said that India would continue to strengthen the cooperation.
Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi
Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts.
Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil.
Dhanyavaad! धनयवाद
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 22, 2021