Bengaluru: India on Saturday received the first batch of 1.5 lakh vials of Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines. 

The vaccine, which was received at Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories, is a part of the international cooperation in helping India to contain the spread of the virus. 

In a tweet, Sputnik V said, "The first batch of Sputnik V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad, India! That's the same day the country starts mass Covid vaccination drive covering its entire adult population. Let's jointly defeat this pandemic. Together we are stronger."

The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing Covid-19 situation on April 28. It will also receive another three million doses in June and around 10-million doses in July.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories has joined hands with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to produce Sputnik V in India. A few weeks ago, India had approved the use of the Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus in the country. 

India is the 60th country to approve the use of Sputnik V. So far, 64 countries have given their nod to use the vaccine.

In September 2020, Dr Reddy's and RDIF entered into a partnership to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and the rights for distribution of the first 100 million doses in India. Later, it was enhanced to 125 million.