New Delhi — The United States is India with oxygen bombs, oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, remedies, personal protective equipment, tests, and other related supplies as India suffers from a surge in COVID incidents. Decided to support. Critics say help comes late.
India has been in the last 5 days New world record The number of cases of coronavirus increased by one day, and more than 300,000 new cases occurred. every day Since the pandemic began, there have been more than 17 million cases in total.
“India is currently facing a huge surge. There is a lot of support we are currently investigating and what we are offering will soon be useful in the field,” said White House senior. Management officials said. Press call on April 26th.
“At India’s request, we are looking for options to provide oxygen and related supplies. These are the resources that India specifically requested and are at the top of the priority list.”
On the day of the press conference, There was a phone call to President Joe Biden Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two leaders have decided to fight the pandemic and “work closely” to protect the “citizens and health” of the community.
“We are determined to help India when we need it, just as India sent support to the United States because hospitals were tense in the early stages of the pandemic,” said the former president. Said in a Twitter message on Monday.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also called India’s counterpart Ajit Doval on Monday, with two advisors for many years in India and the United States in the fight against “smallpox, polio, HIV.” Talked about the partnership. Sullivan told Doval that the United States will have a team of CDC and USAID public health advisors to work with the US Embassy, India’s Minister of Health and India’s Epidemic Intelligence Service staff.
“The United States has identified a source of certain raw materials that are urgently needed for the production of the Covishield vaccine in India, which will be readily available in India,” said spokesman Emily Horne. National Security Council of Statements.
Criticized reaction
Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate of the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, said the Biden administration’s decision to provide assistance to India over the phone to the Epoch Times was “a certainly welcome decision.” He said it was a “valuable decision.” , A comprehensive support package, but should have come sooner.
He said that India and the United States have a “wide partnership” and that it is a way of expressing support and solidarity with the people of India rather than providing support.
“The public diplomacy aspect of the US response could have been better. Messaging could have been faster. But in the end, I think the important thing is that support is on the way. “Kugelman said.
Dr. Hirsch Pants, director of research and director of strategic research programs at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, also said the US response to the “tragedy” was a bit delayed.
“I think the optics of complete silence on the American side for the past few days has been visibly noticed in India, and I think India has a sense of anger,” he said.
The Indian press noticed a statement by State Department spokesman Ned Price at a press conference on April 22nd.on the other hand answer the questions Regarding supporting India during the recent crisis, Price said the United States had a “special responsibility” to take care of its people first.
A few days later, the message from Sullivan to Doval sent a more supportive message.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet said,Freedom of navigation “ Operation in India’s Special Economic Zone region near the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea without the prior consent of India.
The U.S. government later said it was Innocent movementMr. Pants said there are people in India who “connect the points” and now have some negative views on India’s Biden administration.
Procure oxygen for India
White House officials told reporters that the Pentagon and USAID are looking for options to provide an oxygen production system, and the State Department is currently finalizing how to arrange oxygen, including cylinders, for India. It was.
“The Pentagon is also working on an oxygen production system that includes large and small units,” officials said, adding that the United States used a 50-100 bed oxygen production system in a field hospital. .. Pandemic.
“And I would like to emphasize that some of these factors are in the research phase. They are the short-term and long-term options we offer for the time being, and then continue to be involved over the long term. It will be, “said officials.
The U.S. government is also seeking to provide oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is working with India to ensure that U.S. equipment works with Indian equipment, and will also provide the necessary training. ..
Other categories of support provided by the United States include therapeutics, personal protective equipment, and testing, and the United States wants to make over-the-counter therapeutic remdesivir readily available for Indian patients. I will.