Nepal Foreign Minister said his country will avail vaccines from India. (Representational)
India is a frontrunner in starting vaccinating people against COVID-19 and this "has given us great hope", Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said today.
He said Nepal too will be availing these vaccines.
"Today as we wait for the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, India is one of the frontrunners. This has given us great hope. I take this opportunity to congratulate India and its innovative companies for success. Being next door, we believe we too will be availing these vaccines," Mr Gyawali said in a speech during an event organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs at Sapru House.
He also appreciated India's achievements in infrastructure, industrialisation and decades of successful democratic practice.
"Amity with all and enmity with none is our motto. Guided by the same principles we seek to foresee relations with neighbours and all friendly countries around the world," he said.
India and Nepal held a Joint Commission meeting today which was co-chaired by Mr Gyawali and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Nepal congratulated India "on the remarkable success" in the production of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines in India and requested for early provision of vaccines, Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.
Nepal Embassy said in a release that the Indian side assured that the "requirements of Nepal would be in priority consideration after the roll-out of vaccines".
Nepal today also approved the emergency use of Covishield vaccine, which is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
India has given emergency use authorisation to two vaccines against COVId-19 - Covishield and Covaxin. The vaccination drive will begin on Saturday.