'Should Use Normal Channels': PM Jacinda Ardern After NZ Embassy In Delhi Seeks Congress Help For Oxygen

The controversy erupted when the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday reached out to various sources for oxygen cylinders, including youth Congress leader Srinivas BV. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (Photo | AP)

New Delhi: Amid accute shortage of Oxygen in the country, the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi has landed in a controversy after reaching out to youth Congress leader Srinivas BV for help with oxygen supply for an ill staffer. 

In a conversation with a journalist over the controversy around oxygen suppy to a staffer in India, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday said that the High Commission is receiving all necessary support from the Indian government amid the pandemic. She that the Commission should have followed the “normal channels and protocols.”

"We did see that there was a message that was put out. Our High Commission has apologised for the message. There are channels they can and should be going through for such matters. But, I should recognise that we do have a local staff member who is within the compound who has been very unwell. That was the basis on which the call was made," PM Jacinda Ardern said. 

The controversy erupted when the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday reached out to various sources for oxygen cylinders, including youth Congress leader Srinivas BV. 

Taking a note of the development, the Indian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it was in touch with the High Commissions and responding to their medical demands.

The New Zealand high commission deleted its tweet reaching out to Srinivas seeking oxygen, and later put out a fresh post. The High Commission said, "We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry." 

Meanwhile, the Indian Youth Congress has defended the delivery of the oxygen saying it was done to save a life and that this was only one of many they received on social media.