India key part of US President Joe Biden’s allocation plan of 25 million COVID-19 vaccines: Envoy TS Sandhu

New Delhi: Indian Ambassador to the United States, TS Sandhu on Thursday (June 3, 2021) revealed that India might be a significant part of US President Joe Biden’s Global Allocation Plan of sending over 25 million COVID-19 vaccines to neighbours and companion international locations.

“President Biden has announced today the Global Allocation Plan of 25 million vaccines. This is the first tranche out of a total of 80 million vaccines announced earlier by the United States. The distribution is under two categories – A, through the Covaxin initiative, and B, directly to neighbours and partner countries,” mentioned Taranjit Singh Sandhu in an interview with information company ANI.

“Now, India will figure in both categories and will get vaccines as per allocation under COVAX and direct supply. So first would be the COVAX initiative in which India is included in Asia. Second, through direct supply to neighbours and partner countries, that includes India, Korea, Canada and Mexico,” he added.

The Indian Ambassador to the United States additionally added that US has additionally introduced the removing of the Defense Production Act, which suggests no extra precedence provide will now be required.

This will furthers smoothen the availability chains for vaccine manufacturing, notably for AstraZeneca and Novavax, he revealed. 

TS Sandhu additionally added that the telephonic dialog between US Vice President Kamala Harris and PM Modi was constructive and heat. 

“Vice President Harris called Prime Minister Modi, it was a positive and warm conversation. PM Modi thanked VP Harris for assurance of vaccine supply to India. The prime minister also appreciated support and solidarity from the US government,” mentioned Ambassador of India to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. 

“They talked about efforts to strengthen India-US partnership in vaccines and areas of global health, economic recovery and discussed QUAD initiatives. PM Modi invited VP Harris to visit India after normalization of global health situation,” revealed TS Sandhu.

Meanwhile, out of the 25 million vaccines, roughly 7 million vaccine doses might be equipped to Asian international locations together with India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

(With ANI inputs)

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