LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Nov. 17, 2018 shows the border fence that divides the U.S. and Mexico in San Diego, California, the United States. Officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have tightened preparations at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California, for the arrival of massive caravans of Central American migrants. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong/IANS)
Former US President Donald Trump had diverted billions in defence and military construction funds toward building the wall. Now President Biden is using some funding to counter environmental damage from the wall’s construction, reports Asian Lite News.
US President Joe Biden is cancelling projects to build a wall along the southern border using diverted defence funds and will use some funding to counter environmental damage from the wall’s construction.
Then-President Donald Trump had diverted billions in defence and military construction funds toward building the wall, using emergency powers after Congress refused to fully fund the project directly, according to The Hill.
“Consistent with the President’s Proclamation terminating the redirection of funds for border wall, no more money will be diverted from other purposes to building a border wall,” a Biden administration official said on Friday (local time).
“Today, the Department of Defense will begin cancelling all wall projects using the diverted funds, and will take steps to return remaining unobligated military construction funds to their appropriated purpose as permitted by law.”
A Defense Department spokesperson said the funds would be returned to accounts designated for “schools for military children, overseas military construction projects in partner nations, and the National Guard and Reserve equipment account,” but added that the department was reviewing projects to determine priorities.
Upon entering office, Biden canceled the state of emergency the former President had declared along the southern border and paused construction on the wall in order to conduct a review, though the 60 day period for the review’s completion has long passed.
Photo shows the border fence that divides the U.S. and Mexico in San Diego, California, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong/IANS)
Republicans in Congress have accused Biden of illegally halting congressionally approved funds, and the Government Accountability Office is preparing a report on whether the pause was legal under the Impoundment Control Act.
The Biden administration said on Friday it would use some of the USD 1.4 billion appropriated for constructing the wall towards repairing environmental damage from its construction, such as flood barriers in the Rio Grande Valley and soil erosion in San Diego.
Democrats, on the other hand, welcomed the move. “President Biden promised to not build one more foot of border wall under his watch, and I welcome this step by his Administration to begin repairing the damage caused by border wall construction,” said Representative Raul Girjalva who represents a border district in the US State of Arizona.
United States President Joe Biden
“The border wall has done nothing but militarize border communities, destroy precious environmental habitats, and desecrate Native American sacred sites. After such abuses of power, cancelling the contracts and repairing the environmental damage is the least we can do.”
According to The Hill, the issue of funding the wall, one the most symbolic policies of the Trump era, was a regular flashpoint between Democrats and Republicans over the past four years. Trump would regularly request north of USD 5 billion a year for the wall, much to the chagrin of Democrats.
In order to pass spending bills, which require 60 votes in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans typically compromised on a significantly lower figure, replete with caveats over what could be built or reinforced with the funds.
Former United States President Donald Trump (Source IANS)
In late 2018, however, Trump threatened to veto spending bills over lack of wall funding, leading to a 35-day government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history, according to The Hill.
When it was over, he declared a state of emergency and announced he would redirect the defense funds and other sources of government money toward building the wall. Democrats and outside groups have challenged the diversion of military funds toward the wall in court with mixed success. (ANI)
In an interview with The Times, CEO of Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla said that everything falls on his shoulders when it comes to delivering the Covid vaccine to millions in India., reports Asian Lite News
Admitting that he is facing immense pressure from “some of the most powerful people in India” demanding supplies of Covishield, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Saturday that the company is also planning to start vaccine production in the UK, the media reported.
In an interview with The Times, Poonawalla said that everything falls on his shoulders when it comes to delivering the Covid vaccine to millions in India.
“I’m staying here (London) for an extended time because I don’t want to go back to that situation. Everything falls on my shoulders, but I can’t do it alone…I don’t want to be in a situation where you are just trying to do your job, and just because you can’t supply the needs of X, Y or Z, you really don’t want to guess what they are going to do,” Poonawalla told The Times.
Referring to the phone calls from some of the most powerful people in India to get them vaccines first, he added: “The level of expectation and aggression is really unprecedented. It’s overwhelming. Everyone feels they should get the vaccine. They can’t understand why anyone else should get it before them.”
India is facing an immense crunch of vaccines amid the lethal second Covid wave, and as the country started vaccination for people in the 18-44 age group in its third drive on Saturday, several states are unable to start the immunisation drive because of the demand-supply gap.
The CEO of the Pune-based pharmaceutical company said that the company will make an official announcement to produce vaccines in London in the coming days.
“There’s going to be an announcement in the next few days,” he said.
Recently, SII had borrowed money from banks instead of waiting for the government’s aid to arrive to scale up the production of its Covishield vaccine.
The company assumed that the funding from the government will reach them very soon, probably by this week.
Covishield has been developed by the Oxford University and AstraZeneca and manufactured by the SII.
The government recently announced that it has given in-principle approval for credit to vaccine manufacturers, SII and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, to boost India’s vaccine production in the wake of the huge surge in Covid-19 caseload.
The Union Finance Ministry has approved to sanction Rs 3,000 crore credit for SII and Rs 1,500 crore for Bharat Biotech.
Poonawalla had earlier suggested that the company would require around Rs 3,000 crore to increase production of Covid-19 vaccines.
President of NWAMI Mark Isherwood rendered welcome and a glowing tribute to Late HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was paid. Founder of NWAMI Dr. Sibani Roy read out the letter to HM Queen.
Keynote speaker Rt Hon David Jones and Prof Iwan Davies through a video gave wonderful inputs on social integration, linguistic diversity and community cohesion.
Chair Mark Isherwood speaking at NWAMI event
Human Rights Activist Muheed Jeeran joined from Sri Lanka. Judge Ray Singh CBE, Hywel Williams representing Rt. Hon. Liz Saville Roberts, Chairperson of NWAMI Malta Maria-Gabriele Doublesin and Leanne Georgiades, Secretary-General have all given their wonderful inputs on multiculturalism in the Commonwealth and how it can be harnessed.
Founder Dr Sibani Roy speaking at NWAMI event
Director of NWAMI England heading the Cultural Wing Ragasudha Vinjamuri presented a development plan in brief highlighting how cultural immersion and cultural education lead to greater understanding, mutual respect and cooperation, also eventually mitigating hate crime.
This was followed by the Big Debate on Commonwealth Issues and Q and A. Amr Alwishah hosted the event and has overseen the technicalities.
Hywel Williams speaking at NWAMI event
Message from the Vice Chancellor of Bangor University
Yoga & Meditation demonstrations, Healthy diet and Self-Care, Prayers and Chanting for Well Being & Peace, marking festivals, and Music and Dance have been the core sessions conducted on each Sunday for a full continuous year, for the benefit of communities around the world- writes Ragasudha Vinjamuri.
Come Sunday and there is an intense 5-hour program focusing on a weekly theme, encompassing speakers and presenters from across different continents. A range of subjects have been covered all throughout the year 2020, which continued into 2021 till date. Requiring dedication and commitment for this sustained activity, this immensely community-oriented program conceived and produced by Nil Kumar is supported by a like-minded team, on and off camera.
The latest events have been Yoga and Meditation, and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) by Hatha Yoga practitioner Himanshu Mehta (India), breathing techniques by Patanjali Yoga practitioner Bejal Patel, Yoga demonstration by Dr Mehul Shah, presentation by Raja Yoga Instructor Amarjeet Kaur Doowa (Thailand), impacts of Mudras and pressure points by Kamu Palan, Yoga demo by Rashmi Vyas, Meditation session by Saiksha Samboo (Mauritius) and associates have adorned Sunday, 18 April, while Bhajans and Kirtans by Meena Trivedy, Rupa Soni, Girish Jogia, Sneha Makanji, Neelima Penumarthy , talks by Hemangbhai, Sheena Parmar, and different community organisation contributions, have all enriched the Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations on Sunday, 25 April.
The hosts for these sessions have been Dr Honey Kalaria, Dr Lalit Sodha, Mena Trivedy, Sarita Menon, Saivani Samboo and Shivali Ruparelia.
Russia's Sputnik-V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad. (Photo: @MEAIndia/Twitter)
A special cargo flight carrying the first consignment of Sputnik V vaccine doses landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, reports Asian Lite News
First batch of Russian vaccine for Covid-19, Sputnik V, arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday.
A special cargo flight carrying the first consignment landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad. (Photo: @MEAIndia/Twitter)
It was immediately not clear how many doses have arrived. The consignment was delivered to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, which has entered into an agreement with the Russian vaccine maker.
The company will seek mandatory approval of Central Drugs Laboratory for distribution of the vaccine in the country.
“First batch of Sputnik V has arrived in Hyderabad, India. That’s the same day the country starts mass Covid vaccination drive covering entire adult population. Let’s jointly defeat this pandemic. Together we are stronger,” tweeted Sputnik V.
Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad. (Photo: @MEAIndia/Twitter)
Last month, the Indian regulators granted regulatory approval or restricted use authorisation to Sputnik V.
With an efficacy of 91.6 per cent, Sputnik V was the first vaccine against Covid-19 in the world. Clinical trial data published in The Lancet indicated that the vaccine is “appears safe and effective”.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo Twitter@VP)
President Joe Biden’s Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the restrictions were being imposed because “of extraordinarily high COVID-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in India “, reports Arul Louis
The US is imposing restrictions on travel from India starting on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris has said.
“We have announced that starting Tuesday on the advice of the CDC (Centres for Disease Control, our COVID-19 experts, medical experts and national security advisors — travel restrictions will come into force for India,” she told reporters on Friday.
Harris, who was visiting Cincinnati, said, “There is no question that it (COVID surge in India) is a great tragedy, in terms of the loss of life, and as I have said before, and I will say again, we as a country have made a commitment to the people of India to support them.”
“And we’ve made already a commitment in terms of a dollar amount that will go to PPE (personal protective equipment) and a number of other things. But it is tragic. And, you know, my prayers go to the people on the suffering, the blatant suffering that is happening,” she added.
President Joe Biden’s Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the restrictions were being imposed because “of extraordinarily high COVID-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in India.”
The White House and the CDC did not spell out the restrictions.
But travel restrictions issued by Biden on other countries given an idea of how they may impact India.
Non-US citizens except for US legal immigrants will not be allowed into the US if they have been to the countries under the restrictions in the past 14 days.
The restrictions cover South Africa, China, Iran, Brazil, Ireland, Britain and the 29 countries belonging to the common visa zone known as the Schengen Area.
Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan inspecting the addition of 500 Oxygenated Beds at the Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre & Hospital, in Chhatar (PIB)
US citizens and legal residents and their immediate family members are exempt from the restrictions, as also are diplomats, but they are advised to follow precautions.
They are asked to test themselves for COVID-19 between three and five days after arrival.
If those who are vaccinated test positive, they have to isolate themselves for seven days.
Those who are not vaccinated are asked to self-isolate for seven days, regardless of the test results.
At a news conference on Friday before the restriction was announced, White House Coronavirus Response Co-ordinator Jeffrey Zientsin said, “In terms of travel from India, we remain in very close contact with our foreign counterparts and are continuously monitoring the situation.”
“Our current inbound travel precautions and mandatory testing before travel — the quarantine for unvaccinated individuals and the retesting during that quarantine period — those are all in place for all international travel and have been effective,” he added.
Last year during the height of the pandemic flights to and from India a” like with most countries a” were banned.
Both countries organised evacuation flights to bring their stranded citizens home.
On Thursday, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that the Biden Administration was sending COVID relief aid worth $100 million.
Two planeloads of oxygen cylinders, rapid diagnostic tests, and N95 masks to protect frontline workers have already been sent to India.
Nirav Modi who had 14 days to appeal the decision has approached the High Court of appeals on the 28th April 2021 to appeal the decisions made by the lower court judge as well as the home secretary Priti Patel, reports Poonam Joshi
The fugitive diamond dealer Nirav Modi, who is wanted in India for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) out of an estimated $2 billion has filed a permission to appeal in the UK high court against his extradition to India.
Modi, 50, who was arrested in March 2019 and has been held in the Wandsworth prison in south London ever since, was ordered to be extradited by the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on the 15th April 2021.
Westminster Magistrate’s Court’s judge Sam Goozee made a decision on February 25, finding Nirav Modi guilty on all the charges saying that the fugitive businessman had a case to answer for and should be returned to India.
The Indian government alleges that Modi and his associates colluded with officials at the state-owned Punjab National Bank to defraud the bank out of more than USD 1.4 billion by using a credit facility known as Letters of Undertaking, a form of bank guarantee to facilitate international transactions.
The court had been told that the proceeds of the fraud were then laundered through a series of shell companies manned by dummy directors and located in Dubai and Hong Kong. Modi is also charged with the destruction of evidence and intimidating witnesses.
Modi who had 14 days to appeal the decision has approached the High Court of appeals on the 28th April 2021 to appeal the decisions made by the lower court judge as well as the home secretary Priti Patel.
It will be decided by the court of appeals judge whether or not to grant the permission to appeal which is done on papers.
Modi is likely to argue on the decision of his mental health issue which was dismissed by lower court judge Goozee saying he was not satisfied by evidence submitted by the defence about Modi’s mental and emotional health and that he was satisfied that he was fit to plead once returned to India.
If he is successful in obtaining the permission then the appeal will be heard by a single judge or division bench. Modi will need to demonstrate a strong reason to initiate the hearings for his appeal. The entire process can take a good few months given the covid crisis around the world, especially in India where Modi is sought. If its rejected UK will have 28 days to extradite him. (ANI)
President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has said that he will not withdraw navy and coastguard boats patrolling the disputed South China Sea and insisted that the country’s sovereignty over the waters is “not negotiable”.
He said late on Wednesday that while the Philippines is indebted to its “good friend” China for many things, including free COVID-19 vaccines, his country’s claims to the waterway “cannot be bargainable”, Al Jazeera reported.
“I’ll tell China, we do not want trouble, we do not want war. But if you tell us to leave – no,” Duterte said.
“There are things which are not really subject to a compromise, such as us pulling back. It’s difficult. I hope they understand, but I have the interest of my country also to protect,” he added.
Duterte’s lack of a strong approach against Chinese actions in the South China Sea has drawn the ire of Filipinos on social media.
His remarks came after the country’s defence department said China had “no business telling the Philippines what we can and cannot do with our own waters”.
The Philippine coastguard is conducting drills near Thitu Island and Scarborough Shoal, as well as the Batanes islands in the north and the southern and eastern parts of the country.
In response to the exercises, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday that the Philippines should “stop actions complicating the situation and escalating disputes”. Other littoral states, including Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei, claim parts of the South China Sea. Taiwan also has a claim.
In recent weeks, Manila has boosted “sovereignty patrols” involving the navy coastguard and fisheries in the Spratly Islands – an archipelago contested by several countries.
The defence and foreign affairs ministries in the Philippines have been up in arms for a fortnight over the presence of 220 fishing boats suspected to be manned by Chinese maritime militia at Whitsun Reef, with statements flying back and forth over the alleged incursion into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Secretary of Philippines Foreign Affairs Teddy Locsin Jnr said last Wednesday he was “firing off another diplomatic protest” to China’s embassy and would continue objecting “every day until the last one’s gone like it should be by now if it is really fishing”.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
Even after such an intensifying row, China hasn’t shown any sign of relocation of the vessels.
Instead, they have accused the Philippines of using a 2016 international tribunal ruling, which deprived China of certain outcrops of territorial-generating status, the ruling from the permanent court of arbitration effectively punches holes in China’s all-encompassing “nine-dash” line that stretches deep into the South China Sea, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The 2016 International Tribunal Ruling denies China of its thousand years of fishing rights in the area.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing’s concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.
Beijing’s rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
Ambassador Daniel Smith appointed as Charge d'Affaires at US Embassy in New Delhi (ANI)
Daniel Smith will hold the post of charge d’affaires ad interim — or temporarily — till an Ambassador is appointed, reports Arul Louis
A former acting secretary of state, Daniel Smith, has been appointed as the head of US embassy in New Delhi, which has been without an Ambassador after Kenneth Juster left the post in January, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.
Smith will hold the post of charge d’affaires ad interim — or temporarily — till an Ambassador is appointed, Price announced on Friday.
The appointment of Smith, who is among the senior-most career diplomats, is a measure of the importance the administration of President Joe Biden attaches to India.
“Smith’s appointment underscores the United States’ strong commitment to our partnership with the Government of India and the Indian people. He will spearhead close cooperation with India to ensure that our countries continue to advance our shared priorities, including overcoming the global pandemic,” the announcement said.
Former US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster during his visit to the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata (IANS)
When Mike Pompeo, who was the secretary of state, and other political appointees in the top echelons of the State Department left when former President Donald Trump ended his term in January, Smith briefly took over as the acting secretary of state till Anthony Blinken was confirmed by the Senate.
Smith will take over from another career diplomat, Danie Heflin, who was appointed charge d’affaires after political appointee Juster quit when Trump left office.
Smith, who holds a PhD from Stanford University, was the director of the Foreign Service Institute that trains diplomats. Before that he had been the assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research and the ambassador to Greece.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
The New Delhi ambassadorship is considered a high profile post and 15 of the 23 ambassadors have been political appointees.
They have included distinguished personalities like former governors Richard Frank Celeste and Chester Bowles (who served twice), former members of Congress including Kenneth Keating, Sherman Cooper and William Saxbe, and public intellectuals like John Kenneth Galbraith and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who had also been a senator.
Prince Charles’ charity British Asian Trust, Indian-origin British peers Lord Rami Ranger, Lord Karan Bilimoria, American Vice-President Kamala Harris among prominent NRIs join the campaign to support India as Covid-19 mutants return to haunt world’s second most populous country. The US, France, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, Kuwait and Russia have assured medical aid to India with much of the aid on its way … reports Kaliph Anaz
World is rushing to help India as Covid-19 mutants wreak havoc in the country. Prince Charles’ charity British Asian Trust, Lord Karan Bilimoria, President of the Confederation of British Industry, Lord Rami Ranger, American Vice President Kamala Harris were among the prominent NRIs rush to help India.
Nations across the world have come forward to help India in its fight against the second wave of coronavirus pandemic which is extremely virulent and ravaged the country in the last few weeks. The Covid cases have crossed the record 400k mark every day.
The US, the UK, France, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, Kuwait and Russia have assured medical aid to India with much of the aid on its way.
After US President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone, the US has committed to provide a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials and therapeutics.
The UK is sending 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators this week. Out of these, 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators have already arrived on Tuesday.
France is sending relief material in two phases. In the first phase, eight large oxygen generating units that can be installed quickly, liquid oxygen, 28 respirators and their consumables and 200 electric syringe pushers are arriving this week. In the second phase, five liquid oxygen containers will arrive next week. Similarly, Ireland is sending 700 oxygen concentrators this week.
Sources said that Germany is sending a mobile oxygen production unit which will be made available for three months along with 120 ventilators and 80 million KN95 masks.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that his government will send 500 ventilators, one million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields to India.
Kuwait and Russia have also committed to send medical supplies.
Some of the medical supplies are also coming through private channels from various countries. For example, Singapore is sending 500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators, four Cryogenic oxygen containers and other medical supplies.
“There is no question that it is a great tragedy, in terms of the loss of life, and as I have said before, and I will say again, we as a country have made a commitment to the people of India to support them,” the US Vice President said.
“We have already made a commitment in terms of a dollar amount that will go to PPE and a number of other things. But it is tragic. My prayers go to the people on the suffering, the blatant suffering that is happening,” Harris said in response to a question.
“British business stands in solidarity with India in light of the devastating health crisis which is unfolding,” Lord Karan Bilimoria said in a statement. “At this crucial moment we are urging UK firms to donate critical resources and supplies where they can. This includes: ventilators and breathing apparatus, lateral flow tests, empty refillable oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO capacity, ISO containers to facilitate transport of liquid oxygen to deficient areas, oxygen concentrators, in situ oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals, oxygen generator plants, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines, PPE, warehousing, transport & logistics. There is also an urgent need for Remidisvir and Favipiravir to help treat those with the virus.”
“The UK and India share a close bond based on our enduring ties and ongoing close cooperation. The global challenge of the pandemic must be tackled on a united front. If we are not able collectively to control the spread of the virus it will remain a huge risk for lives and economies around the world. The B7 Summit hosted by the CBI on 11th and 12th May will be a crucial moment to show solidarity and strong support to our Indian friends in a moment of need and ensure a resilient global recovery from this devastating pandemic.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria
“I welcome the initiative launched by the CBI to unite the British Industries to help India. The Covid pandemic is a global issue and needs a global response. No country can escape from it in isolation. Every nation must unite to defeat the scourge collectively,” said Lord Rami Ranger, the Chairman of Sun Mark group. “The initiative will prove effective and bring much-needed relief to the people of India who are suffering an unprecedented challenge due to the second wave. Lives must be saved, and support must be given to those fighting for their lives. This is a real service to humanity.”
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Secretary Mr Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India will get around 550 oxygen generating plants, 4,000 oxygen concentrators and 10,000 oxygen cylinders from abroad to deal with the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
Lord Rami Ranger
“It’s an unprecedented situation. We are sourcing many of oxygen, drugs from many countries. Many countries have come forward on their own to offer us assistance. Countries said they appreciated our assistance and they’re giving us in return,” the Foreign Secretary said during a special media briefing.
The Foreign Secretary said over 40 countries have come forward to offer assistance to India to help in view of the unprecedented situation.
He said India is looking at procuring 400,000 units of Remdesivir medicine from Egypt besides exploring to get it from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
The Foreign Secretary said the government has been majorly focusing on procuring oxygen generators, concentrators, oxygen cylinders, cryogenic tankers as well as liquid oxygen.
India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla
He said the medical supplies are being sourced through direct procurement and other modes. He also said that the two special aircraft carrying large amounts of medical supplies from the US are expected to reach India by Friday and another one is likely in the next few days.
Chinese Help
China assured India that it would do everything to support India.
An official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had a phone conversation on Friday evening with the State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi.
“The call was arranged at the request of the Chinese side to convey their sympathy and solidarity with India at this juncture,” the statement said.
After thanking Wang Yi for his sentiments, Jaishankar emphasised that serious challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected all the countries, require serious international cooperation.
Indian entities are already in the process of commercially procuring required products and raw materials from suppliers in China. The minister said that this process would be facilitated if various transport corridors and cargo flights remain open and the necessary logistics support is ensured expeditiously.
China had suspended its state-run cargo flights for medical supplies to India as Covid-19 cases surged in the country.
Wang Yi described Covid-19 “as a common enemy of mankind” and agreed that there was a need for “coordination on a concerted response”.
The ministry statement said Wang Yi told Jaishankar that China supports the efforts of the government of India and would ensure that all the required materials are flown to Indian entities without any delay.
UAE, Saudi Support
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent consignments to India.
Official sources said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had received a call of support from UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on April 25.
The UAE Foreign Minister had expressed his solidarity with India as the rise in Covid-19 infections have triggered a massive crisis. To convey their support, iconic buildings in the UAE were lit up in the Indian tricolour.
A special cargo for medical aid of 157 ventilators, 480 BiPAPs and other medical supplies arrived from UAE to India. India will also get six Cryogenic oxygen containers from the UAE.
Saudi Arabia’s aid of 80 MT of liquid oxygen is enroute via the sea route, Hong Kong is sending 800 oxygen concentrators, while Thailand is sending four Cryogenic oxygen tanks.
An IAF C-17 has so far airlifted 18 cryogenic oxygen containers from Dubai Airport and landed at Panagarh Air Base in three sorties since April 26.
Also, India’s Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany.
