Modi thanks Biden for his assurance of help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden had a telephonic conversation on Monday — a day after US said it would send raw material needed to manufacture extra stocks of Covishield vaccine.

The US came forward as the European Union, Germany, France and several other nations assured India of help to fight the ferocious second surge of the virus that has been infecting more than 3 lakh people for four consecutive days.

PM Modi tweeted that the two leaders discussed the Covid situation in both nations and that he thanked President Biden for his assurance of help.

“Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving COVID situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India,” PM Modi’s tweet read.

The US will help with therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccines, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

In a statement, the PM’s office also said the two leaders also discussed “India’s ongoing efforts to contain the second wave of COVID-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment”.