Modi calls up Biden as India battles Covid

New Delhi: Amid an alarming surge in coronavirus cases in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with US President Joe Biden.

This comes a day after US President Joe Biden assured help to India in its fight against Covid and said they are sending necessary life-saving medical supplies to help the country combat the disease.

"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," Biden said in a tweet.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said that they are working closely with the Modi 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," she said in a tweet.

On Sunday, the White House said that the United States will "immediately" make supplies of vaccine-production material, as well as therapeutics, tests, ventilators and protective equipment available to India.

"The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India," a White House statement said.

Washington has also "identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India," the statement, from National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne, said.