EAM to focus on Covid vaccine shortage on US trip

May 21, 2021 14:14

Procurement of coronavirus vaccines and raw materials to boost domestic production is set to be a major focus area of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's five-day visit to the United States beginning Monday.

Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar will hold discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and meet other senior officials of the Biden administration during his visit from May 24 to 28. It will be the first visit by a senior Indian minister to the US after President Joe Biden assumed office in January.

It is learnt that Jaishankar is likely to press for further speeding up of the supply of raw materials from the US to boost vaccine production in India besides exploring the option of joint production.

There is a view in India that the Defence Production Act (DPA) of the US has put some restrictions on the export of raw materials by American companies.

In early February, the US government invoked the DPA to limit exports of the raw materials to expand domestic vaccine production. Hit by a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, India has been focusing on ramping up domestic production of COVID-19 vaccines as well their procurement from abroad.

"In Washington DC, the External Affairs Minister will hold discussions with his counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He will also be meeting Cabinet members and Senior Officials of the Administration dealing with the bilateral relationship," the MEA said in a statement. It said he will have two interactions with business forums on economic and COVID-related cooperation between the two countries. Jaishankar had met Blinken earlier this month on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers of G-7 countries in London. The MEA said Jaishankar will also meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Rain threat looms as RCB-CSK face off in knockout match

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team...

Guruvayoorambala Nadayil Review: Prithviraj, Basil Elevate Bromance

Guruvayoorambala Nadayil is a no-holds-barred, silly comedy that will keep you glued to the screen even when the going gets tough towards the end but the smile on your face will not leave, observes Arjun Menon.

In matters of citizens' liberty, every day counts: SC

Every single day counts in matters concerning the liberty of citizens, the Supreme Court said on Friday while asking the Delhi high court to decide on the regular bail plea of a businessman in a corruption case related to the now...

Does Your Insurance Policy Need A Rider?

A rider is a supplementary cover which can be purchased with the base policy by paying an additional premium.

Does Mbappe Have A Twin?

Kylian Mbappe unveiled a waxwork in Paris before it is transferred to Madame Tussauds in Berlin.