New Delhi:  US secretary of state Antony Blinken announced $25 million assistance to support Covid-19 vaccination efforts throughout India. Blinken announced the US aid of $ 25 Million on Wednesday in a joint press conference with external minister S Jaya Shankar.

He said that US has contributed more than $ 200 million worth of Covid-19 assistance. In his address at the joint press conference Blinken said, this funding will contribute to saving a life by strengthening vaccine supply chain logistics, addressing misinformation, vaccine hesitancy and helping to train more health care workers. We are determined to end this pandemic in India and the United States. We will work to do it,” he said.

US Secretary of State @SecBlinken
hold talks with EAM @DrSJaishankar in New Delhi @MEAIndia #USIndia pic.twitter.com/sRx3ic3qLK

— DD News (@DDNewslive) July 28, 2021

He also said the Covid-19 pandemic 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, he said. Indian external minister Jaishankar said India has acknowledged the US efforts to keep the vaccine raw material supply chain open.

We discussed the need for global availability of affordable vaccines. We hope the US would take a sympathetic view of Indian travellers. Jaishankar and Blinken discussed a wide range of issues including Afghanistan during the meeting.

India and US share a strong interest in peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, Blinken said. He assured that the US and India will continue to work together to sustain the gains of the Afghan people.