The US State Department also approved the voluntary departure of family members of government employees from India amid the record rise in Covid-19 cases in the country.
“On April 28, 2021, the Department approved the voluntary departure of family members of US government employees,” the department said. “US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options.”
It also renewed its travel advisory for India, calling on US citizens to avoid travelling to India. “The Department of State renewed its travel advisory for India on April 28, 2021. The Department continues to advise travelers not to travel to India,” the release said, as quoted by Sputnik.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that the United States is proud to deliver its first shipment of critical oxygen equipment, therapeutics and raw materials for vaccine production to India to tackle the Covid-19 crisis.
Taking to Twitter, Blinken said that the US is committed to working urgently to provide assistance to India. “Just as India came to our aid early in the pandemic, the US is committed to working urgently to provide assistance to India in its time of need. Today we are proud to deliver our first shipment of critical oxygen equipment, therapeutics and raw materials for vaccine production,” Blinken tweeted.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin also said that a US Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy and a C-17 Globemaster III are en route to India carrying oxygen cylinders/regulators, rapid diagnostic kits, N95 masks, and pulse oximeters.
“Right now, a @usairforce C-5M Super Galaxy and a C-17 Globemaster III are en route to India from @Travis60AMW. They’re carrying oxygen cylinders/regulators, rapid diagnostic kits, N95 masks, and pulse oximeters. Thanks to @USAID for the supplies & to all involved in the effort,” Austin wrote in a tweet.
Several other countries including Iran, Russia, Australia, Canada, Germany, Bhutan, Norway and the EU have also extended support to India amid the Covid crisis.