The US leadership agreed to provide India raw material for vaccines that had previously been under export controls, as well as other key material.
President Joe Biden in a tweet said “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.”
Vice-President Kamala Harris added that 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.”
A White House statement said that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke on phone with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, and expressed “deep sympathy for the people of India” and said Washington, following the recent spike in Covid-19, is working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies.
“The United States has identified sources of specific raw materials 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 front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment that will immediately be made available for India,” it read.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said that Indian authorities have been asked to coordinate quick delivery of the relief items.
It said that ways for further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic could also be explored.
Pakistan offered to provide ventilators, digital X-ray machines and personal protective equipment.
Edhi Foundation, the Karachi-based philanthropic organisation that runs ambulance services in Pakistan, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering a fleet of 50 ambulances and support staff.
“We stand side by side with India in the shared fight against COVID-19. Vital medical equipment is on its way from the UK to India to help stop the tragic loss of life from the virus and we’ll continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time,” tweeted Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, United Kingdom.
“Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support. The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people!” tweeted Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Union Commissiom.
