Washington:
Several US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to make certain that India receives adequate COVID-19 vaccines and health-related help, saying the wellness crisis in the nation is “devastating” and America has a duty to support its close allies defeat the pandemic.
The American lawmakers known as on the US government to send more vaccines and health-related help to India just after President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that the US will allocate 75 per cent – practically 1.9 crore of the 1st tranche of 2.5 crore doses – of unused COVID-19 vaccines from its stockpile to nations in South and Southeast Asia as nicely as Africa by the finish of June.
Biden mentioned the US will share the vaccine to quite a few nations to fight the pandemic by way of the UN-backed COVAX international vaccine sharing programme as aspect of his administration’s framework for sharing 80 million (8 crore) vaccines globally.
“The crisis in India is devastating and demands more action from (President Joe) Biden. More COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies are needed to help one of our most important global allies fight this virus,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott mentioned.
In a tweet, the Republican governor urged US citizens to join him in praying for India.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz mentioned that pretty much 300 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the US.
“India is a critical friend of the US. Biden’s vaccine sharing programme is flawed: We should prioritise our allies such as India, and make sure it receives the COVID-19 vaccines they desperately need,” he mentioned.
Senator Roger Wicker from the Senate Armed Services Committee mentioned that it is crucial for the US to continue assisting other nations beat the coronavirus. “Sending excess vaccines to close allies like India doesn’t just make sense, it is the right thing to do,” he mentioned.
Congressman Michael McCaul, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs, tweeted, “Glad to see critically needed vaccines and other therapeutics will be sent to India to continue to support a longstanding partner and ally.”
He mentioned as Texans, this reinforces close ties involving “our community and the Indian-American diaspora”.
Congressman Adam Smith lauded President Biden for the measures taken to help nations that will need support.
“The COVID-19 crisis in India and other countries has been devastating, and more vaccines and medical supplies are still needed,” mentioned the chairman of the potent House Armed Services Committee.
“To defeat COVID-19, we must fight it both at home and around the world,” Smith, a Democrat, added.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, mentioned to support India deal with shortage, the US demands to send these vaccines that it will by no means use, just like India helped America in its time of will need.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw mentioned Houston is home to a big Indian neighborhood with pals and households in will need back in India. “It should be a priority within this international programme,” he tweeted.
Observing that the COVID-19 circumstance in India is “heartbreaking”, Congressman August Pfluger mentioned that the US has a duty to support its ally.
“We should immediately send additional vaccines and critical medical supplies,” he mentioned.
The US has also sent important health-related gear and medicines to India to fight the second wave of COVID-19.
Congressman Darren Soto mentioned as a member of the India Caucus, he thanked President Biden for announcing 25 million in vaccines to challenging hit locations like India.
“Let’s continue to take the necessary steps to address the deadly second wave of COVID-19 there with surplus medical supplies and vaccines,” mentioned the member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressman John Curtis mentioned that although 63 per cent of adult Americans have received at least one shot, quite a few of the US’ pals have no access to vaccines.
“It’s important we share with countries like India – a return to normalcy and an eventual end to this brutal pandemic will require some global cooperation,” mentioned Curtis, who is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressman Troy Nehls urged Biden to quickly send surplus vaccines to India to support it in its fight against COVID-19. He is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
In this international wellness crisis, it is crucial that America targets excess COVID-19 vaccines to these about the world that will need it most, mentioned Congressman French Hill. “The situation in India, one of our closest allies, is dire. I encourage the Biden administration to support India with vaccines in their time of need,” mentioned Hill, who is a member of the House Financial Services Committee.
Congressman Tim Burchett mentioned that the US demands to make sure that India gets the COVID-19 vaccines.
“The response to the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic must be global. We must work to close the gaps in our global alert system and work with our allies to make sure this never happens again,” tweeted Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
India reported 1,00,636 fresh COVID-19 instances on Monday, the lowest in 61 days, taking the infection tally to 2,89,09,975, according to the Union Health Ministry’s most up-to-date information. The death toll due to coronavirus reached 3,49,186 with 2,427 new fatalities, the lowest in about 45 days.
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