NEW DELHI: Vaccine shortage in India’s neighbourhood is driving countries to adopt extreme measures.
After Bangladesh, Nepal too signed a non-disclosure agreement with Chinese authorities for commercial purchase of Sinophar m jabs.
With India having effectively banned vaccine export after the devastating second wave in April and May, Nepal and other Indian neighbours have been looking elsewhere for Covid-19 jabs.
Bangladesh had recently signed a contract for purchase of 15 million doses from China.
The non-disclosure agreement remains a controversial issue though with Nepal media, while confirming that it had indeed been signed, questioning if such an agreement had any legal basis.
Kathmandu Post quoted an official to say that except in a situation where the government decides to procure defence-related materials, which are sensitive from a national security point of view, details of all other procurement including pricing must be disclosed as per the existing law.