India supports call for detailed studies into coronavirus origins
India on Friday supported the renewed global call for a comprehensive study by the World Health Organization into the origins of coronavirus. India's statement comes days after US President Joe Biden asked American intelligence agencies to redouble their efforts in investigating the emergence of the pandemic amid growing controversy about the origins of the virus from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.
Several countries weren't happy with WHO's report on the virus
In March, the WHO came out with a report on the origins of the virus but it failed to meet the expectations of the US and several other leading countries. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "The follow up of the WHO report and further studies deserve the understanding and cooperation of all."
Biden ordered intelligence agencies to submit report within 90 days
"The WHO convened global study on the origin of COVID-19 is an important first step. It stressed the need for next phase studies and further data to reach robust conclusions," Bagchi said. President Biden had on Wednesday ordered the US intelligence agencies to escalate the investigation in the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 virus and report back to him in 90 days.
China has slammed US for digging up the matter again
China on Thursday had accused the Biden administration of shirking its responsibility in calling for a renewed investigation into the origins of the coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that Biden's order showed that the US does not care about facts and truth, nor is it interested in serious scientific origin tracing.
US should let itself be investigated as well: Zhao
Zhao further said that the US must open itself up to investigations into its biological laboratories, including at the military's Fort Detrick base. "The US wants China to participate in a comprehensive, transparent, evidence-based international investigation. We would like the US to do the same and immediately cooperate with the WHO on origin tracing research in a scientific manner," Zhao said.
