Biden admin ‘working around the clock’ to assist India, says US NSA
WASHINGTON: The US has assured India that it will immediately provide the specific raw materials required for manufacturing the Covishield vaccine, with a top White House official saying that the Biden administration was “working around the clock” to deploy all resources and supplies to bolster the country’s fight against the deadly Covid-19 spike.
The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic Party, for not releasing surplus Covid-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.
India has urged the US to supply the raw materials for manufacturing the Covishield vaccine.
Expressing deep sympathy for the people of India following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan, in a telephonic call with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Sunday, affirmed America’s solidarity with India.
“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,” Emily Horne, spokesperson of the US NSA said after the phone call between Sullivan and Doval.
“Building on the seven-decade health partnership between the United States and India -including battles against smallpox, polio and HIV -- they resolved that India and the United States will continue to fight the global Covid-19 pandemic together,” Horne said.
Observing that the US is “working around the clock” to deploy available resources and supplies, Horne said that the US has “identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India”.
To help treat Covid-19 patients and protect the frontline health workers in India, the US has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India, she said.
Horne said the US also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have assured India and its people of providing all assistance, including urgently sending necessary medical life-saving supplies and equipment, to help the country combat the deadly coronavirus crisis.
“Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need,” Biden said in a tweet on Sunday.
“The US is working closely with the Indian government to rapidly deploy additional support and supplies during an alarming Covid-19 outbreak. As we provide assistance, we pray for the people of India —including its courageous healthcare workers,” Harris said in a tweet.