Fight against Covid: Taipei sends aid to Delhi

Oxygen concentrators will be delivered by the weekend. India is grappling with a dramatic surge in infections. Indian antidotes against the coronavirus for Paraguay, a Taiwan ally that China courts with "vaccine diplomacy". Beijing has also promised health support to Indians.

Taipei (AsiaNews) - Taiwan will send oxygen concentrators and other medical aid to India, which is struggling with a dramatic surge in coronavirus infections. Deputy Foreign Minister Miguel Tsao said today to the members of the national parliament.

The government exponent stressed that the first cargo will be delivered by air by the end of the week; others will follow, with Taipei expressing its willingness to make a long-term commitment to help Indians deal with the health emergency. India has exceeded 200 thousand victims; for days, it has recorded 350 thousand daily infections, making it the country with the most difficulty in containing the pandemic.

In his speech, Tsao emphasized the island’s good relations with Delhi, considered an important partner that shares the same democratic ideals as Taipei. In recent days, Narendra Modi's government went to Taiwan's "rescue" by providing 100,000 doses of an Indian vaccine to Paraguay. The purchase will take place with Taiwanese financial support.

Taipei and Asunción authorities say China has offered its vaccine to the South American country in exchange for diplomatic recognition: Paraguayans have formal relations with Taipei, but not with Beijing, which considers the island a "rebellious" province.

China has also offered aid to India. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the government is working with domestic manufacturers toprovide health supplies to Delhi. Support was also promised by the USA, Pakistan, Israel, France and Germany.

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