India, US discuss evolving coronavirus situation over a phone call

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and POTUS Joe Biden on Monday spoke to each other over a phone call to discuss the current situation of coronavirus. The latter has assured India of its complete support on taking hold of the second wave of COVID-19.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also revealed that PM Modi discussed India’s initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a relaxation in the norms of the agreement on TRIPS to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries.

"The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation in their respective countries, including India’s ongoing efforts to contain the second wave of COVID-19 through expedited vaccination efforts, and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and health care equipment," said the statement on the telecon.

The US President Joe Biden expressed solidarity with India on its fight against COVID-19 by “supporting India’s efforts by quickly deploying resources such as  therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials to be made available for the manufacture of Covishield vaccines.”

The telephone call comes at a time when the second wave of coronavirus has massively struck India, which is reporting around 3.5 lakh cases daily.