Covid-Linked Supply From China Allowed As States Look For Vaccines Abroad: Sources

The relations between India and China have been frosty since April last year, when the Chinese troops transgressed the Line of Actual Control - the de-facto border - in Ladakh.

The cut-off date for import of Covid-related supplies from China -- which had ended on March 31 - has been extended, finance ministry sources told NDTV today in the backdrop of a number of states planning to float global tender for vaccines. The sources said the Centre is allowing global tenders for all Covid-related medical supplies and vaccine. There is no limit on procurements and deals worth even less than Rs 200 crore has been allowed. The relations between India and China have been frosty since April last year, when the Chinese troops transgressed the Line of Actual Control - the de-facto border - in Ladakh. Since the Covid outbreak, India changed its rules on land border agreement -- which made a series of clearances necessary for nations that it shares border with - to exempt the flow of Covid-related medical supplies. The two nations had since helped each other with medical equipment, but not vaccine.