Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation on Monday with assurances exchanged on smoothening out issues related to supply chains for vaccines for COVID-19 and the latter affirming that the U.S. would be supporting India’s efforts to come to grips with the massive second wave of the pandemic.
Also read: Coronavirus | U.S. to send raw material for Covishield A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also stated that Mr. Modi discussed India’s initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a relaxation in the norms of the agreement on TRIPS to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries.
“The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation in their respective countries, including India’s ongoing efforts to contain the second wave of COVID-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and health care equipment,” said the statement on the telecon. It said President Biden conveyed “solidarity“ with India on its fight against COVID-19 by “supporting India’s efforts by quickly deploying resources such as therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccines.”
Also read:Calls grow for U.S. to help India with spare COVID-19 vaccines
Prime Minister Modi on his part “underscored the need to ensure smooth and open supply chains of raw materials and inputs required for manufacture of vaccines, medicines, and therapeutics related to COVID-19. “ The telephone call came in the background of not just flagging of supply chain issues with the U.S. with regard to vaccines but also the lack of certain resources in India to fight the pandemic, as the country has been hit by exponentially rising cases and deaths.
