Amid the time when India is suffering the most due to Covid-19 second wave, the ban on the export of Covid-19 raw material by the United States has increased the difficulties for the Indian government and will halt the vaccination drive.
A senior State Department official has defended its decision stating the Biden administration’s first obligation is to take care of the requirements of the American people.
“The United States first and foremost is engaged in an ambitious and effective and, so far, successful effort to vaccinate the American people. That campaign is well underway, and we’re doing that for a couple of reasons. Number one, we have a special responsibility to the American people. Number two, the American people, this country has been hit harder than any other country around the world – more than 550,000 deaths, tens of millions of infections in this country alone,” said administration’s spokesperson Ned Price.
He further said that It is not only in the U.S. interest to see Americans vaccinated; but it is in the interests of the rest of the world to see Americans vaccinated.
“The point the Secretary (of State Antony Blinken) has made repeatedly is that as long as the virus is spreading anywhere, it is a threat to people everywhere. So as long as the virus is spreading uncontrolled in this country, it can mutate and it can travel beyond our borders. That, in turn, poses a threat well beyond the United States,” Ned said.
He further added, “We will, of course, always do as much as we can, consistent with our first obligation.”
India is currently encountering a horrible surge in Covid cases. As per the Union Health Ministry, India reports 3,46,786 new #COVID19 cases, 2,624 deaths and 2,19,838 discharges in the last 24 hours.
