Hyderabad: In a joint press briefing along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked the Biden administration for their support during the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 virus that saw the country's health infrastructure brought to its knees. Jaishankar acknowledged the Biden administration's effort in keeping the raw material supply chains open for vaccine production in India.
Jaishankar said that the two nations are now focused on expanding vaccine production to make it globally affordable and accessible. Speaking on the occasion, Blinken showed his appreciation for the assistance provided by India.
"COVID-19 hit both the US and India very hard. We remember with gratitude and will not forget the aid and assistance India provided to us early in the pandemic. I am proud we could return the gesture to India," Blinken said at the press briefing.
Blinken said that both India and the US are determined to end the pandemic and both countries will work together to achieve that goal, including through the QUAD vaccine partnership.
"I believe India and US together around the world will be leaders to bring this pandemic to an end," said the US Secy of State.
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India is part of the QUAD vaccine partnership with the US that plans to produce one billion vaccines for the Asia region by the end of 2022. Announced at a summit-level meeting in March, the group also includes Japan and Australia.
Speaking about the QUAD, Blinken said that QUAD is not a military alliance. He said that the purpose of the alliance was to advance cooperation on regional challenges while reinforcing international rules and values that can bring peace, prosperity, stability to the region.
Talking about the developments in Afganisthan, Blinken said that both India and the US have a strong interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and they will work together to sustain the support the region stability after the US troop withdrawal from the country.
Blinken also acknowledged India contribution towards maintaining stability in Afghanistan.
"As a credible partner in the region, India has and will continue to make vital contribution to Afghanistan's stability & development," Blinken said.
US President Joe Biden earlier announced the end of the US mission in Afghanistan, ending a 20 year war in the region. Biden had set August 31 as the deadline for the troop withdrawal from the war-torn country. The US withdrawal has been seen as a major boost to the Taliban, who have upped their offensive tactics. The Taliban have been making major inroads in the region, taking control of one district after the other, pushing back government forces.
Blinken acknowledged the Taliban advances, saying that there were reports of them committing atrocities in Afghanistan.
"It's deeply troubling. It certainly doesn't speak well about their intention for the country," he said.
Blinken said the US role in Afghanistan is far from over as they continue to support important programmes in the region that support the country economically through development and security assistance.
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"Even as we withdraw our forces from Afghanistan, we remain engaged in Afghanistan. We have not only a strong embassy there but also have important programmes that support the country economically through development and security assistance," he said.
He further said that the US was actively engaged in diplomacy to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan.
In the meeting, Blinken stressed the importance of the India-US ties. saying that the two nations were the largest democracies in the world.
"Our shared values strengthen the US and India relationship. Like our own, India's democracy is powered by its free-thinking citizens. We applaud that. We view Indian democracy as a force for good in defence of a free and open Indo-Pacific and a free and open world," he said.
He said that the two nations can learn from each other. ' No democracy regardless of how old or large has it all figured out,' he added.
