India Badly needs Medical Supplies !
India is passing through a severe crisis, country's COVID-19 cases has reached to 1,73,13,163 while active cases have crossed the 28,00,000 mark. The death toll has increased to 1,95,123 with a record 2,812 new fatalities.
India is trying to source Oxygen cylinders ,containers, essential equipments and medicines from the neighbourhood on a war footing to attend the need inside the country.
Just in: @airindiain brings Oxygen concentrators from USA to India at @DelhiAirport . #OxygenConcentrator @HardeepSPuri @IndianEmbassyUS @USAndIndia @MEAIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/IyBGAVrRKK
— Ashoke Raj (@Ashoke_Raj) April 26, 2021
The Freighter Suspension !
Throughout the pandemic, Freighters played a vital role in distribution of emergency supplies across globe, however in a strange move, China’s state-run Sichuan Airlines has suspended all its cargo flights to India for 15 days, citing a cause of stopping imported Covid-19 cases in China .
The move has caused major disruption to private traders’ efforts to procure the much-needed oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies from China.
This move seemed to have not gone in sync with Beijing's offer of support and assistance to india to fight against the current upsurge of COVID-19 cases.
On Monday, the Sichuan Chuanhang Logistics Co. Ltd ( part of the Sichuan Airlines) wrote to the traders that, the airline has suspended its cargo flights on six routes, including Xian to Delhi.
The chinese Airline defends itself by saying, in order to reduce the number of imported cases, it has decided to suspend the flights for the next 15 days.
Indian route has always been the core strategic route for Sichuan Airlines. This suspension has also caused great losses to our company. We are very sorry for the unchanged situation , the letter said and sought the “understanding of its sales agents , it said. The letter also said the company will review the situation after 15 days.
Freight forwarders from both the countries see this move a complete surprise, as they expect a severe disruption to procure the oxygen concentrators from China.
They say ,
The suspension of the flights owing to the coronavirus situation in India is surprising as there is no crew change in India and the same crew flies the aircraft back.
The second wave has battered the healthcare system in india, as it sees more than 3,00,000 daily new covid-19 cases being reported for an week or so, creating a scarce of medical grade oxygen and beds.
The current suspension of flights are against the chinese official statements offering support and assistance to India, believes Indian officials at New Delhi.
China Quotes !
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian says , China is in communication with India to provide necessary support and assistance.
China expresses sincere sympathies to India over the deteriorating situation in the country recently,” he said.
The Chinese government and people firmly support the Indian government and people in fighting the coronavirus. China is ready to provide support and help according to India’s need, and is in communication with the Indian side on this , he added.
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