The United States commends India’s increasing role as a global leader working to ensure a more peaceful, prosperous and healthy world.
As one of the world’s largest producers of COVID-19 vaccines, India is poised to play a key role in vaccination efforts in low- and -middle income countries. India has begun donating millions of COVID-19 vaccines to neighboring countries in South Asia, Voice of America reports.
“We applaud India’s role in global health, sharing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in South Asia,” the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a January 22 tweet, adding that shipments will head to Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and other countries. “India’s a true friend using its pharma to help the global community.”
The United States and India partner on developing and producing vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics to fight COVID-19, building on decades of cooperation in science and technology.
The U.S. is committed to building a trusted partnership with all our friends in South & Central Asia, to further “peace, progress, and security” in the region. Many thanks to SCA partners on our existing collaboration; we look forward to growing our future engagements with you! https://t.co/Jk1gJyfkXr
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) January 21, 2021
The vaccine donations are just one aspect of India’s regional and global leadership. India routinely participates in multilateral talks and military exercises in support of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and it started a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council in January.
India took part in the October 6 Quad Ministerial in support of freedom, transparency and national sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad member countries, which also include the United States, Australia and Japan, cooperate on issues ranging from humanitarian and disaster relief to health security and counterterrorism.
The same countries in November 2020 conducted Malabar, a multinational military exercise to help ensure the Indo-Pacific remains safe for maritime navigation.
India on January 1 began its term as a voting member on the United Nations Security Council, where it will help steer U.N. efforts to counter challenges to international peace and security, such as weapons proliferation and terrorism.
The Security Council has 15 members, each with one vote. Norway, Ireland, Kenya and Mexico also joined the council as nonpermanent members this year. The council’s five permanent members are the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom.
India will serve as the council president in August, a high-profile role that will enhance its ability to push for action on challenging issues of international peace and security.
