Covid-19: Outpouring Of Support From America For India, Touches USD Half A Billion

Less than a fortnight after President Joe Biden, in his conversation with PM Modi, pledged his country's steadfast support for the people of India, the US has responded with unprecedented financial assistance worth nearly 1/2 billion USD.

US President spoke at length with PM Modi last month and conveyed solidarity with India to fight against the COVID-19. He assured the PM that America and India would work closely together in the fight against COVID-19.

"Just as India sent assistance to the US as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need," Biden had said in a tweet.

Reflecting overwhelming support for a "natural ally", the entire country, the administration and the corporate sector, which created a global task force and Americans and Indian-Americans, have opened their coffers for India.

This half a billion dollars includes USD 100 million pledged by the Biden Government, USD 70 million by pharma major Pfizer and 450,000 Remdesivir doses, the governmental purchase price of each of which in the US is USD 390.

Thousands of oxygen concentrators and planeloads of life-saving drugs and health care equipment are flying off the US for India almost every day.