New Delhi (NVI): With a message of friendship and solidarity with the people of India amidst the unprecedented coronavirus crisis, Israel today sent its first consignment of emergency medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, and said more will follow throughout this week.
Israeli Embassy here said in a statement that the upcoming consignments will contain thousands of group and individual oxygen generators, respirators, medications, and additional medical equipment.
“In this hour of need, our two democracies stand solidly side by side. The State of Israel is happy to lend a helping hand to our friend India in this complicated and difficult time,” Israeli Ambassador Ron Malka said after an aircraft with the first shipment reached Delhi.
“Our friendship is strong and collaboration during the Covid-19 crisis will only make it stronger. I see great importance in the cooperation with India in this joint fight against the global pandemic,” he added.
This comprehensive delivery of medical equipment to India is the result of the cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the National Security Council, Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Control Centre, together with full coordination with the Indian government through the Indian embassy in Israel, said the Embassy statement.
A task force was set up to gather support for Israel’s aid to India. Several private entities, Israeli companies, NGOs and the people of Israel came together to contribute towards this aid, it said.
“In the first outbreak of Covid-19 in Israel, India mobilized to assist Israel, and within this framework approved the air delivery of masks, gloves, and raw materials for medications to Israel, and also helped arrange the repatriation of Israeli citizens. Now, Israel is proud to reciprocate this significant gesture,” the statement said.
It recalled that last year, a high-ranking Israeli delegation travelled to India and completed a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of several Israeli technologies developed for the rapid diagnosis of the corona virus. It was called ‘Operation Open Skies’.
“Israel delivered aid and supplies, including ventilators that were exported to India following an exceptional approval. In recent months, the Embassy contributed advanced medical equipment and technologies to hospitals in Delhi, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences,” the statement said.
“The past few years have cemented the strategic relations between India and Israel and have included two historical visits of the Prime Ministers in Israel and in India. Since the outbreak of the global pandemic, both countries have shared mutual assistance in dealing with the virus and committed to joint technological and scientific research,” it added.
