Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Joe Biden on the phone this evening, a day after the US said it would send raw materials for the Covishield vaccine.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have promised India and its citizens that they will provide all necessary assistance, including sending life-saving medical supplies and equipment, to help the nation fight the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a “fruitful conversation” with US President Joe Biden about the current Covid-19 situation in India and the US. On Monday evening, the two leaders had a phone conversation.
PM Modi thanked Biden for the assistance the US has agreed to give India in its fight against Covid-19 in a tweet.
“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,” Modi tweeted.
My conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden also highlighted the value of effective and reliable vaccine raw material and drug supply chains. “An alliance between India and the United States in healthcare will solve the global problem of COVID-19,” the Indian Prime Minister continued.
The two leaders addressed the situation in their respective countries with regards to Covid-19, including India’s continuing attempts to suppress the virus’s second wave by expedited vaccination efforts and maintaining the availability of essential drugs, therapeutics, and healthcare equipment.
President Biden expressed his support for India’s efforts and stated that the US was committed to assisting India’s efforts by rapidly distributing services such as therapeutics and ventilators, as well as finding sources of raw materials for the manufacture of Covishield vaccines.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring smooth and transparent supply chains of raw materials and inputs for the manufacture of Covid-19-related vaccines, drugs, and therapeutics.
According to a statement issued by the Indian side, both leaders emphasized the ability of the India-US relationship in vaccine production and supply to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and instructed their respective officials to maintain strong collaboration and cooperation in their efforts in this domain.
PM Modi also told Biden about India’s WTO plan to loosen the rules of the TRIPS Agreement in order to provide developing countries with fast and inexpensive access to vaccines and medicines, according to the statement.
