New Delhi, Jul 28 (UNI) India and the US are determined to end the Covid-19 pandemic and will work together to do it, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday as he announced that Washington was providing an additional $25 million to India towards boosting vaccination across the country.
Stating that Covid-19 'was on top of the agenda' of talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar here, Blinken said that both countries were "hit very hard" by the pandemic.
Expressing gratitude for the help rendered by India to fight the pandemic last year, he said: 'We remember with gratitude and we will not soon forget the aid and assistance that India provided to us in the early days of Covid-19 when our hospitals were overwhelmed with the pandemic. And I am proud we could return the gesture of friendship.'
He said that in the past few months, the US has provided more than $200 million for Covid relief, 'and today I am pleased to announce the US will provide an additional $25 million for vaccination efforts across India'.
He said the money would help in strengthening vaccine supply chains and logistics, and in addressing vaccine hesitancy and help train healthcare workers.
'We are determined to end this pandemic. India and the US will work together to do it, including through the Quad vaccine initiative for safe and effective vaccines for others across the region,' Blinken said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the joint presser, said that the Covid-19 issue was 'naturally of particular priority'.
Thanking the US, he said: 'Let me acknowledge the responsiveness of the Biden administration for keeping the raw material supply chain open for vaccine production in India, and say a big thanks for the support we received during the Covid second wave from the US-- a support that I would say was truly exceptional.'
He said the two sides are focused on expanding vaccine production to make it globally affordable and acceptable.
Biden said that 'As we move forward, I believe India and the US together will be leaders in bringing this pandemic to an end, and setting up a strong global health security system, going forward should the next pandemic occur.'
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