Medical aid being sourced from China, says Foreign Secretary

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Thursday informed that some essential medical supplies and equipment to combat the COVID-19 surge in India are being sourced from China, reports correspondent Chandrakala Choudhury.

New Delhi:Amid much apprehension on whether India would accept medical aid from China, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Thursday has cleared that several companies in India are sourcing products and some of the requirements are being sourced from China.

Addressing a special press briefing on international cooperation on COVID-19, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said, “We know that number of companies in India have been sourcing products. I mentioned that companies have been active in sourcing our priority requirements such as oxygen generators, concentrators, pharmaceuticals. Some of it is coming from China and some is being sourced from China".

“Cargo flights are operating and some of the equipment are coming and some of them are being sourced. This is a part of meeting the requirements in the most effective manner possible. Our missions have been asked to facilitate wherever required, as there are issues of transportation and issues regarding the speed in delivering the products. We are fully engaged in ensuring supplies as fast as possible”, Shringla told media persons.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has sent a letter of solidarity to India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reiterating that the Chinese side firmly supports the Indian Government and people in fighting the pandemic.

In the letter, Minister Wany Yi said that the Chinese side shares empathy for the challenges facing India and expresses sincere sympathy.

“The Chinese side firmly supports the Indian Government and people in fighting the pandemic. Anti-pandemic materials produced in China are entering India at a faster pace to help India fight the epidemic. The Chinese side will continue to do its utmost to provide support and help according to the needs of India. We hope and believe that under the leadership of the Indian Government, the Indian people will surely prevail over the epidemic at an early date”, Wang Yi wrote in a letter to EAM.

Even as India grapples with the COVID-19 surge, the government has not directly approached China for any assistance. India has instead emphasized facilitating procurement by the private sector. It is China that willingly has come forward to join hands with the rest of the world to help India at this hour of Crisis.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Minister held a meeting with his counterparts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan to discuss COVID cooperation. Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong said that Beijing extended an invitation to India to join in its initiative to together fight the pandemic along with other South Asian nations.

India, however, has not recognized the initiative neither has given any response in joining China’s initiative.

Sun Weidong said in a tweet that Chinese medical suppliers are working overtime on orders from India, at least 25,000 orders for oxygen concentrators in recent days. Cargo planes are under the plan for medical supplies and that Chinese customs will facilitate the relevant process.

Now, this raises a suspicion of whether China’s move to support India amid the COVID crisis is another tactical ploy or is it a humanitarian gesture to lend support to India?

India and China are engaged in a bitter stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh since May last year.

During the press briefing today, Foreign Secretary Shringla also informed that over 40 countries have come forward to assist India as it continues to fight against the second wave of the pandemic. Moreover, 550 oxygen generating plants are going to arrive in India from different sources all over the world.