40 countries come forward to aid India in its COVID-19 fight, says Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, check the list of countries and all other details here

At present, India is fighting one of its most difficult battles. Not on the battlefield and not against any country. India is fighting against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Besides more than three lakh fresh infections every day, Indian healthcare is fighting an acute shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. However, even the toughest battles can be won when one is supported by friends and well-wishers. And India has many. As many as 40 countries have come forward to aid India in this time of COVID-19 crisis.

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As per a report by dnaindia.com, while briefing to reporters in Delhi, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "there has been an outpouring of solidarity with India, the outpouring of assistance. Over 40 countries, integrated into supply chains globally, have been sourcing equipment from their sources of supply." As a result of this assistance, India is expected to get 550 oxygen generating plants, 4000 oxygen concentrators, 10,000 oxygen cylinders, and 17 cryogenic oxygen tankers. The country will also receive 450,000 doses of Remdesivir from Gilead Sciences, 300,000 doses of Favipiravir from countries like Russia, UAE.

It has to be remembered that the first international assistance to India came from UK on April 27, 2021. It was then followed by Russia. Very soon, the US and French assistance will also reach India.

Bordering country Bangladesh has also extended a helping hand to India and will be sending 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets. Another neighbouring country, Bhutan will also be supplying 40 MT of liquid oxygen.

A contribution of USD 2.4 million towards COVID relief in India, to be channelled through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been announced by Norway. The four gulf countries, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been contributing greatly with liquid oxygen and COVID-19 drugs for India's assistance.

Regarding this transfer of items for assistance from foreign countries, the Foreign Secretary explained, "what we want to make sure is that all this equipment that is consigned to India, is expeditiously cleared. There are blanket exemptions from the different taxes, custom duties they would have to normally undergo of such items are coming to India."