Covid Second Wave: Pak PM Imran Khan Expresses Solidarity With India, Says 'We Must Fight This Global Challenge Together'

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron extended support, committing willingness to provide assistance for the Covid situation in India.

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New Delhi: While India is battling a second wave of coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday expressed solidarity with the neighbouring country in dealing with the situation.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron extended support, committing willingness to provide assistance for the Covid situation in India.

Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter and wrote: "I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of Covid-19. Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood and the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together".

Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi also tweeted: "We express our support to the people of India in the wake of the current wave of  Covid-19 infections, that has hit our region hard. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families in India".

 

Australian PM Scott Morrison has also extended support by saying: "Australia stands with our friends in India as it manages a difficult second Covid-19 wave. We know how strong and resilient the Indian nation is. PM Narendra Modi and I will keep working in partnership on this global challenge".

 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had to once again cancel his visit to India due to the Coronavirus pandemic, said on Friday that he was looking at what he could do to help India.

"We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India," Johnson told British media calling India a great partner. The help could include providing ventilators or therapeutics, he said.

 

Meanwhile, pressure is being mounted on the United States for allowing critical Covid vaccine-related supplies to reach India. 

Providing an update on India's request regarding the embargo on lifting of raw materials for vaccine, US State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said, "We have continued to work closely with India to facilitate the movement of essential supplies and also address the bottlenecks of their supply chains. But we'll also continue to collaborate with our partners in India to battle this at the highest level."

"We don't have any specific update to raw materials, but we'll just reiterate that we understand that the Covid situation in India remains a global concern," added Porter.