Chinese President Xi Jinping offers help to India in fight against Covid-19

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday offered help to India in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese state media reported.

According to China’s state media agency Xinhua, President Xi Jinping also “extended condolences” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

“President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Covid-19 pandemic in the country,” Xinhua reported.

In his message, President Xi Jinping said China is “willing to strengthen” anti-pandemic cooperation with India, and provide support and help.

This development comes amid strained relations between India and China for nearly a year over the standoff in Eastern Ladakh and violent clashes between the two sides.

India is currently reeling under the second wave of coronavirus infections and has been consistently recording over 3,00,000 new cases every day. The death too has mounted as hospitals are facing an acute shortage of oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators and medical oxygen.

Chinese Ambassador to India, Sun Weidong in a series of tweets said the Chinese President has sent a “message of sympathy” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping sends a message of sympathy to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. President Xi says, ‘I am very concerned about the recent situation of Covid-19 pandemic in India. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, as well as in my own name, I would like to express sincere sympathies to the Indian Government and people’.”

The statement added, “Humanity is a community with a shared future. Only through solidarity and cooperation can countries around the world ultimately defeat the pandemic.”

“The Chinese side stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Indian side in fighting the pandemic and provide support and help in this regard. I believe that under the leadership of the Indian Government, the Indian people will surely prevail over the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a tweet said he received a call from State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveying China’s sympathies at the Covid-19 challenge now faced by India.

“(We) discussed the international cooperation aspects of the public health response to this difficult situation. Highlighted the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in these circumstances. Welcomed his assurances in that regard, as also more openness to Indian chartered flights.” Jaishankar said.

Besides this, the two leaders also discussed the issue of “full and sincere implementation of the Moscow Agreement of complete disengagement at all friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and full restoration of peace and tranquility in Eastern Ladakh”.

The two sides agreed to continue discussion on this subject. (Agency)