Washington: An influential Indian-American Democratic lawmaker on Monday welcomed the US government’s decision to provide material and healthcare help to India in its fight against a spike in COVID-19 cases, but said this is “no time for symbolism” or “lip service” and the Biden administration must act now.
India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.
“The Biden administration’s commitment that it will export raw materials for the Indian manufacturer of the Covishield vaccine is a welcome decision,” Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.
“However, this is no time for symbolism, half-measures or lip service. We must act now,” he asserted.
The Biden administration had come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic Party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country was experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.
India had urged the US to supply the raw materials for manufacturing the Covishield vaccine.
Following the criticism, US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan in a telephonic call with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Sunday affirmed America’s solidarity with India.
After the phone call, Emily Horne, spokesperson of the US NSA, underlined that America is ‘working around the clock’ to deploy available resources and supplies and has ‘identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacturer of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India’.
Krishnamoorthi, who is also the chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, said it is imperative that the US government double down on its commitment by exporting these materials expeditiously, by opening its stockpile of AstraZeneca vaccines currently sitting unused on shelves.
He said the US government should also follow the actions of other countries this weekend by shipping medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, to help treat COVID-19 victims in India and other nations hardest-hit by the deadly virus.
India logged a record of 3,52,991 new coronavirus infections in a day on Monday, taking its total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,73,13,163.
The death toll increased to 1,95,123 with a record 2,812 daily new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
“The Lend-Lease Act of World War II states that America could lend or lease supplies to any nation deemed vital to the defence of the US. This is no different. We are fighting a war together with India, Argentina and others. We can only defeat COVID-19 by defeating it everywhere.”
“Our success in ending this pandemic hinges on the leadership of the US and our ability to help allies in need,” said Krishnamoorthi, who also serves on the House Oversight Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.