India-US to deploy full strength to fight Covid: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump to exchange views on the ongoing Covid pandemic and its impact on the global well-being and economy.

The two leaders agreed to deploy the “full strength’’ of the India–US partnership to resolutely and effectively combat Covid, according to an Indian readout of the conversation.

The two leaders also touched upon the significance of practices such as Yoga and Ayurveda for ensuring physical and mental well-being in these difficult times. They agreed that their officials would remain in close touch with respect to the global Covid crisis.

Research institutions from the US and India are already engaged in a multinational effort along with Norway and the UK to develop a vaccine for Covid.

Modi has spoken to almost a dozen world leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Johnson, Angela Markel and Mohammed bin-Salman besides those in the immediate neighbourhood like Ashraf Ghani, Sheikh Hasina, KP Oli and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The US President is also working the phone lines and has spoken to Putin and Johnson among others. Today Modi also spoke with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Prime Minister conveyed deep condolences for the loss of lives in the US, and his prayers for early recovery of those still suffering from the disease. Stressing the special relationship between the two countries, he reiterated India’s solidarity with the US in overcoming this global crisis together.

The Prime Minister and the US President also exchanged notes on the respective steps taken in each country for mitigating the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.