New Delhi: As India reels under an acute shortage of life-saving oxygen, vaccine, hospital beds leading to the hazard for millions of citizens, the call for assistance and support to India from the international community is growing louder.
Currently, the nation is witnessing the darkest days of its history as the second wave of the coronavirus has hit India the hardest with cases soaring up each day.
What came as a surprising gesture at this crucial time is, Pakistan’s Prime Minister expressing solidarity to the people of India as they battle the dangerous wave of the Covid pandemic.
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Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, said, “I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19. Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood and the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together”.
India and Pakistan are currently not on good terms and there had been very little interaction between the two neighbours, ever since the relationship turned sour.
Interestingly, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi extended his sympathy towards the people of India. Taking to Twitter he wrote, “We express our support to the people of India in the wake of the current wave of #COVID 19 infections that has hit our region hard. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families in #India”.
“#COVID19 is another reminder that humanitarian issues require responses beyond political consideration. Pakistan continues to work with SAARC countries to foster cooperation to tackle the pandemic”, Qureshi added.
Meanwhile, India has been reaching out globally for procurement of oxygen cylinders and container under its operation ‘Oxygen Maitri’. Given the growing crisis of oxygen amid the sharp rise of covid cases, the Indian Air Force has begun airlifting oxygen containers from Singapore.
The first set of four cryogenic containers carried by C-17 Aircraft, for storage of liquid 02 from Singapore landed at Panagarh on Saturday evening.
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On a similar note, Afghanistan envoy Tahir Qadri expressed solidarity and said, “In this difficult hour of COVID-19 catastrophe, we stand in solidarity with our Indian friends who are combating the brunt of this pandemic and who earlier extended their helping hands globally with critical drugs and vaccine diplomacy. May you all get over this phase soon”.
Besides, other world leaders are also sending wishes and support to India through tweets.
The European Union will be discussing the ongoing Covid-19 situation in India in its upcoming EU-India Leaders' meeting on May 8, President of the European Council Charles Michel said.
In a tweet, Charles Michel said, "The #EU stands in solidarity with Indian people amidst resurgent #COVID19 pandemic. The fight against the virus is common. We will discuss our support and cooperation at EU-India Leaders' meeting on 8 May with @narendramodi and @antoniocostapm".
Similar remarks came in from the British Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock.
"Heartbreaking scenes from India. My thoughts are with our Indian friends. We stand ready to help fight this awful virus”, he said in a tweet. France also stood in support of India at this difficult time.
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