The secretary of state and foreign minister explore strengthening global pharmaceutical, healthcare manufacturing and supply chain.
As coronavirus continues to grow unabated around the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called up India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discus US-India cooperation to combat the pandemic.
In the telephone call late on Tuesday, Pompeo highlighted the importance of close India-US cooperation to “combat this international crisis, including strengthening global pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing and supply chains.”
Ever since the declaration of global call to emergency to contain COVID-19, this is the second time that the two leaders have held a discussion on this issue.
After his phone call Mike Pompeo tweeted: “Good call today with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on the #USIndia partnership. Our close cooperation is imperative to combat the #coronavirus, including strengthening global pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing and supply chain.”
Morgan Ortagus, Sokesperson for the US State Department, said about the talk: “Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar by telephone today regarding coordination of efforts to respond to COVID-19.
“The Secretary highlighted the importance of continued close cooperation between the United States, India, and other close partners and allies to combat this international crisis, including strengthening global pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing and supply chains.
“He also reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to work with India to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe.”
The US continues to grapple with the rapidly growing pandemic with total positive cases nearing 190,000. The White House has advised that the coming two weeks can be particularly concerning for the country.
Later in the day, Pompeo also spoke on phone with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemarriam Desalegn on the importance of the US-Ethiopian bilateral relationship.