Staff Reporter: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has thanked her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for sending the Covid-19 vaccine as a gift to Bangladesh.

"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending the vaccine as a gift," she said on Thursday. She was virtually addressing an international conference titled “Celebrating the 100 Years of the University of Dhaka: Reflections from the Alumni - International and National,” on the occasion of the university's 100th founding anniversary. she also added that the procured vaccine will come soon from India as planned.

Earlier, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami handed over the consignment of Covid-19 vaccine to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at a ceremony at state guest house Padma on Thursday afternoon. “It’s a historic day. They’ve (Hasina and Modi) achieved such a goodwill and strong relations! It shows the sign of that bonding,” he said after receiving the gift from India.

The foreign minister said the arrival of two million doses of Oxford vaccine from India shows the sign of strong relations and goodwill between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. He further said, collaboration, cooperation and partnership is very essential for neighbouring countries.

The gift of vaccines is a part of the commitment made at the highest level and to make the 'Neighbourhood First' policy' into reality.

The PM informed in the virtual meeting

Prime Minister Hasina also noted the ongoing bilateral collaboration between the private sectors.

The PM informed meeting another five million doses of the vaccine from India are expected to arrive within this month, adding that they have already planned how they will proceed with the vaccine. "We've taken all the steps to face the Covid-19 situation in the country,"