After almost ignoring India’s Covid need for more than a week, the US finally agreed to transfer Vaccine raw material to India. This comes after US State Department spokesperson Ned Price asserted that the US the administration’s had a “special responsibility” to America, which has been hit hardest by the pandemic. Answering questions about lifting the embargo on vaccine import to India, he further said that the administration was doing “as much as they can” for other countries, but with consistency to their first obligation. Meanwhile, US NSA Jake Sullivan spoke to Indian NSA Ajit Doval, expressing deep sympathy on the Corona crisis in India, the situation people have to face is devastating. According to several reports, the Supply of raw material and other medical equipment to India was finalized after this call.
In addition to this US is also deploying an expert team of public health advisors for the Centre of Disaster Control (CDC) also planning to lead the support for patient and frontline workers by providing PPE Kit, Ventilators, Rapid test kits; states the White House Spokesperson.
The US is also thinking to supply oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis. US finance department is also helping India’s vaccine manufacture units BioE to fasten up vaccine production.
US president and Vice President release their statement after US begin the supply to India -:
“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”: US President Joe Biden in his statement.
“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”: US Vice President Kamala Harris wordings
Internal Pressure on US
- Taranjit Sandhu, India’s ambassador to the US has clearly stated the Indian situation to the US officials. He has also made clear that India is an urgent need for raw materials to boost up vaccine production.
- Congresswoman Rashida Talib called for a patent waiver to fasten up the world’s vaccine production
- Physician and researcher Ashish Jha of Brown University school tweeted that
“Indian is struggling to get people vaccinated and we are sitting on a stockpile of 35-40 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine which Americans will never use”
- Shekhar Narasimhan who was a major fundraiser for the Democratic during Biden Presidential election urged the POTUS to help India in any way possible and make a call to Indian PM asking about him the situation.
External Pressure on US
Meanwhile when the US was taking no notice of India Covid needs the World was with India giving full support on this crisis from Ventilators, Raw Materials, Medicines to moral support. UK, EU, Saudi Arabia, France, Australia and many others. The US also know that if it will continue to delay the supply there can be a negative consequence in US-India relation and India is a very important ally of the US not only in the South Asia region but is also a leading Quad member. If the US lose India as an ally they will not be able to counter China and Russia by any means. Also, the Indian Diaspora in the US is one of the strongest in the world, and at this critical time, the US cannot afford to have both internal and external disturbance.
