In a Phone Call With Kamala Harris, PM Modi Thanks US For Vaccine Supplies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to  US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday over Covid-19 vaccine supplies to India. He expressed his gratitude for the 'support and solidarity from the US government and Indian diaspora.

As per the official statement from the PM office, Kamala Harris informed PM Modi about US plans to make vaccines against Covid-19 available to India and other countries.

The statement further said, "Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to Vice President Harris for the US decision, as well as for all other forms of support and solidarity that India has received in recent days from the US Government, businesses and the Indian expatriate community in the US."

They also discussed the ongoing efforts to strengthen the health supply chain between the US and India, including in the area of vaccine manufacturing. PM Modi asked Kamala to visit India soon after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Indian ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, "VP Harris and PM Modi talked about efforts to strengthen Indian-US partnership in vaccines and areas of global health and economic recovery and also discussed QUAD initiatives."

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the Centre is taking steps to ensure an adequate supply of Covid-19 vaccines from overseas. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the central government is making all efforts to augment the supply of vaccines, whether through enhanced production in the country or supply from other countries.

"India is also working with the US administration to ensure proper availability of necessary components and raw materials for vaccine production in the country," Arindam added.