US President Joe Biden assures help for India
The United States will “immediately” make available sources of raw materials required to scale up production of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine – of which there is a critical shortage as India fights daily new cases of over three lakh and an active caseload of nearly 27 lakh.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, on Sunday to confirm this, and also that his country had “identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and PPE suits that will (also) be made immediately available to India”.
President Joe Biden tweeted that US is “determined” to help India in its “time of need”.
The US is also “pursuing options to provide oxygen and related supplies on an urgent basis” to help India overcome a shortage that has endangered the lives of thousands of both Covid-positive patients and those fighting other diseases.
“Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need,” the US said.