Source: News on Air
Context: India dispatched 3 lakh doses of Measles-Rubella vaccine to Bolivia amid a disease outbreak, reaffirming its commitment to Global South health diplomacy.
About Bolivia:
- Location: Landlocked country in west-central South America.
- Capitals: La Paz (administrative), Sucre (constitutional).
- Neighbours: Borders Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
- Geographical Extent: Spans ~1,500 km north-south and ~1,300 km east-west.
- Physiographic Features of Bolivia:
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- Andes Mountains: Hosts Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Oriental, with Mt. Sajama (6,542 m) as the highest peak.
- Altiplano Plateau: A flat, high plain (~12,000 ft elevation), housing Lake Titicaca and (formerly) Lake Poopó.
- Salt Flats: Home to Uyuni Salt Flat, the world’s largest (~10,400 sq. km).
- Yungas Region: Rainy, forested slopes descending from the Andes into valleys.
- Amazon Drainage: Rivers like Beni, Mamoré, and Iténez contribute to the Amazon basin.
- Chaco and Oriente: Hot lowlands in the south and tropical rainforests in the north and east.
- India–Bolivia Bilateral Relations:
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- Vaccine Diplomacy: India’s recent vaccine aid is part of broader South-South Cooperation under India’s Development Partnership Programme.
- Health Support: The consignment included Measles-Rubella vaccines and supplies to counter Bolivia’s health emergency.
- Strategic Engagement: India and Bolivia share warm ties, especially in multilateral platforms like the G77, NAM, and BRICS outreach events.
- Energy & Minerals: Bolivia is rich in lithium and has shown interest in technology and energy collaboration with India.
