President Joe Biden promised Monday to send aid to India as the nation struggles with the world’s most severe outbreaks of coronavirus.
Biden made the commitment while on a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is suffering thousands of COVID-19 deaths per day as its hospitals are overwhelmed and facing oxygen shortages from a second wave of the pandemic, according to CNN. The country reported nearly 353,000 new coronavirus cases Monday.
“The two leaders resolved that the United States and India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the effort to protect our citizens and the health of our communities,” the White House said in a readout of the call. (RELATED: Steve Doocy Praises Joe Biden’s ‘Economy’ Amid ‘Doggone High’ Ratings)
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the media after his meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind, to stake claim to form the new government at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India May 25, 2019. (REUTERS/File Photo.)
The Biden administration is sending ventilators, oxygen and other supplies to assist the world’s second most populous nation.
“Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need,” National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said Sunday.
The announcement comes as the Biden administration is ramping up its coronavirus aid distribution across the globe. It has already begun delivering millions of doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to South American countries and is preparing to deliver millions more internationally.
SCOOP: The U.S. plans to send 2.5 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico and 1.5 million doses to Canada, administration officials tell me. The loan does not affect @POTUS goal to have enough vaccine for all U.S. adults by the end of May.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) March 18, 2021
Biden’s coronavirus response team has said the U.S. has plenty of vaccine supply, even during the brief pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over blood clot concerns.