Bolivia

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:

• 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.

• 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:

• 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.

• 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.