The conversation between Jaishankar and Antony Blinken took place just days ahead of President Joe Biden's virtual summit with several world leaders

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and reviewed developments in India’s immediate and extended neighbourhood.

Both ministers also exchanged views on the UNSC agenda.

“Spoke to my US counterpart Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening. Conversation covered recent developments in India’s immediate and extended neighbourhood. Exchanged views on the UNSC agenda. Also discussed issues pertaining to our health cooperation,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Telephonic talks between Jaishankar and Antony Blinken took place just three days ahead of President Joe Biden's virtual summit with several world leaders.

The US President has invited 40 world leaders including Prime Minister Modi to the virtual summit on the climate crisis on April 22 and 23.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the key leaders invited to the conference.

During the conversation, both Jaishankar and Blinken also discussed issues relating to cooperation in the area of health.

India’s largest vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India, which has been tasked with producing the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid shot, has been experiencing a crunch of raw materials. SII Chief Adar Poonawala on April 16 took to twitter to request US President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on the supply of raw material.

“Respected @POTUS, if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the U.S., I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the U.S. so that vaccine production can ramp up. Your administration has the details,” Poonawala tweeted.

Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar defended India’s decision to export vaccines to other countries amid the second wave. He said Delhi was pushing the big countries to ensure smooth supply of raw materials needed for manufacturing of Covid vaccines in India.

“As a foreign minister, I am pushing other countries, particularly some big countries, saying look, please keep the raw materials flowing for vaccines to be made in India,” Jaishankar said, at a conclave organised by All India Management Association.

“If you ask why are you exporting (vaccines) at all, somebody will ask why am I exporting to India. That is so short-sighted. Only non-serious, irresponsible people can make that argument,” he said.