India, US, four days in Covid

Context: America’s turnaround underlines India-US ties that are set to deepen further amid the pandemic.

Rising India-US ties amid pandemic

• Relief efforts:
  • On April 30, Super Galaxy, a huge US military plane, landed in Delhi, bringing oxygen cylinders, hospital equipment and Covid test kits.
  • The US recognised the importance of the “Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” with India, providing de- tails of how the administration planned to help India address the terrible pandemic.
• Various elements of package of assistance:
  • The US Defence Production Act’s provisions are being reconsidered: The authorities have agreed to approve the supply of filters needed for the manufacture of the Covishield vaccine.
    • Subject to clearance by the FDA, 60 million surplus doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine may be released for use by other countries, including India.
    • A comprehensive plan has been prepared for the supply of oxygen-related equipment, including generation systems, cylinders and setting up of field hospitals with oxygen beds.
    • A special focus is on stepping up commercial supplies of therapeutics, especially remdesivir.
  • The US Development Corporation will fund the Indian vaccine firm BioE to expand its manufacturing capacity, covered under the Quad’s Vax Partnership.
  • Involvement of the Pentagon: The department of defence has been directed to use its resources to provide frontline health workers with needed materials.
  • Robust engagement of corporate, mostly Big Tech, America. Google, Microsoft and Apple.
    • The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum is helping with 12 ISO containers for the transport of oxygen to India
    • The US-India Business Council has appealed to its members to offer assistance.
  • Proactive diplomacy by diaspora: Pramila Jayapal (Congressman) raised her voice, stressing that it was both the right and necessary thing to assist India.

Way forward:

• It needs to be acknowledged that vaccines produced in India are meant not only for Indians but for the people of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Thus, US should support the initiative by India and South Africa to seek a temporary IPR waiver under the TRIPS agreement.