India sends 8 MT of life-saving medicines to Bolivia to support public healthcare
New Delhi, Aug 9
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday that India has dispatched eight metric tonnes of life-saving and essential medicines to Bolivia to support the public healthcare capacity.
"Extending a helping hand to a Global South partner. India has dispatched 8 MT consignment of life-saving and essential medicines to Bolivia in support of its public healthcare capacity. India always stands ready for advancing cooperation through solidarity and shared progress," the MEA said on social media platform X.
Bolivia's Vice President Edmand Lara Montano visited India earlier in February and met the Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, discussing ways to enhance cooperation in solar energy, critical minerals, digitalisation, higher education and the medical sector.
Following their meeting, the Vice-President's Office in a post on X said, "Vice President of Bolivia, Edmand Lara Montano, called on the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026."
"The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the steady growth of bilateral relations between India and Bolivia. They discussed avenues for enhancing cooperation in solar energy, critical minerals, digitalisation, higher education, and the medical sector. The leaders also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration in multilateral and other international forums," it added.
They discussed ways to enhance cooperation in solar energy, critical minerals, digitalisation, higher education and the medical sector.
According to the MEA, India also donated a consignment of 300,000 doses of MR (Measles and Rubella) vaccines, including the essential supplies needed for their administration, to the South American nation in July last year.
India's Ambassador to Bolivia, Rohit Vadhwana, formally handed over the consignment at El Alto Airport in Bolivia's state capital La Paz, at a reception that was attended by Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda; Minister of Health and Sports, Maria Rene Castro Quisicanqui; and Vice Minister Max Enriquez Nava.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While this is a noble gesture, I hope the government is also paying adequate attention to our own public healthcare system. We still have rural areas facing medicine shortages. That said, international solidarity is important too and we should be proud of being a responsible global citizen. Balance is key.
This is what \"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam\" really means - the world is one family. From giving vaccines to Caribbean nations during COVID to now sending medicines to Bolivia, India is consistently stepping up as a reliable partner for developing nations. Great to see the MEA actively strengthening South-South cooperation! 👏
Nice to see our diplomatic outreach beyond just big power relationships. Bolivia is a country with significant lithium reserves - and we're discussing critical minerals with them. Smart move to build goodwill along with exploring mutual economic interests. This is how modern foreign policy should work - aid with strategic vision.
Just last year we donated 300,000 doses of MR vaccines to Bolivia and now this. India's pharmaceutical industry is truly world-class and its generosity in sharing these resources is commendable. As a doctor, I know how much these life-saving medicines mean for public health systems in developing countries. Hats off to everyone involved!
Good initiative, but I wish such aid was more visible in our own neighbourhood too. We keep sending help to distant countries while our North-Eastern states and border areas still struggle with healthcare access. Not taking away from this gesture, just saying we should walk and talk equally at home and abroad.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.