As Africa grapples with new coronavirus variant Omicron, India on Monday said it stands ready to support the affected countries in the continent including by supplying vaccines, life-saving drugs and test kits.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said supplies of vaccines can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally.
It said that the government has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of Covishield vaccines including to African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho.
The MEA said any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously.
"We have noted the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19, Omicron. We express our solidarity with the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant," the MEA said in a statement.
"The Government of India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing with the Omicron variant, including by supplies of Made-in-India vaccines,"
it said, adding supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally.
"In this regard, the Government has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of Covishield vaccines including to African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho," the MEA said.
"We have also cleared supplies of COVAXIN to Botswana. Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously," it said.
The MEA said India also stands ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators.
"Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterization related research work with their African counterparts," it said.
India has, so far, supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly 1 million doses as grant to 16 countries and more than 16 million doses under the COVAX facility to 33 countries.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Watch: Gautam Gambhir's Farewell Note To KKR Has A Special Team India Connection BMW Motorrad India Opens Order Book For CE 04 Electric Scooter: Details Massive Twist: India Star May Pip Hardik Pandya To Become T20I Captain Till 2026 T20 World Cup - Report What Trump Rally Shooter Did On Last Day Of His Life Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.