Nepal Shows Its Preference To Indian Vaccines Over Chinese

Nepalese foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali will come to New Delhi on January 14th 2020 for the India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting. Nepal requests India to procure vaccine for at least 20 per cent of its population. According to the Kathmandu Post, a proposal is being prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding to further cooperate in the health sector between Nepal and India.

The MoU is likely to include an agreement on the procurement of Covid vaccines from India, as well as cooperation between the medical councils of the two countries.Officials in Kathmandu and New Delhi are giving final touches to agreements including one on the health sector that can be firmed up during the trip that is high on symbolism because of its timing. Gyawali’s visit is taking place against the backdrop of a flux in Nepal’s politics exacerbated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli when he dissolved parliament last month. Fresh national elections have been scheduled on 30 April and 10 May.