Gave aid, so taking aid: Centre’s logic for accepting foreign Covid help

Government tries to defend departure from 2004 policy

Covid patients receive free oxygen provided by a gurdwara at Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, west Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday.: PTI

TT   |   New Delhi   |   30.04.21:  Foreign secretary Harsh V. Shringla on Thursday said India’s acceptance of oxygen and medicines from overseas reflected a nod to reciprocity and should not be seen in terms of its foreign aid policy.

“We have given assistance, we are getting assistance,” he said.

Given India’s policy decision since the tsunami of 2004 not to take foreign aid except from development partners, this has been a question the government has been facing at various forums.

“This is an unprecedented situation. We are dealing with a situation that is quite exceptional. We have prioritised items that we need and are sourcing them but many countries have come forward to offer what we need,” Shringla told a news conference.

“The fact is that we had been responsive to their needs when they had the requirement. Keep in mind that the US and much of Europe have had a second and even third wave.

“When we supplied essential pharmaceutical products... hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol or even remdesivir at that time or vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri programme, there was appreciation that we had come to the assistance of other countries in pursuit of what our Prime Minister calls working for the common good — our concept of vasudhaivakutumbakam (the whole world is kin).”

US President Joe Biden had earlier this week spoken about the help India had provided when the pandemic ravaged his country last year.

Shringla said the pandemic had shown the world that countries cannot survive by looking out for themselves alone. He said India was not viewing the foreign assistance in the context of policy but was doing whatever was needed to look after its people.

Shringla said the second wave of Covid had put considerable pressure on the country’s healthcare system and its capacities and resources. He added that India was mainly trying to get oxygen and critical medicines from overseas.

He said India had licensed manufacturers of remdesivir but their present production capacity cannot meet the increased demand. Foreign sources for the drug had therefore been identified, not just in the US but also in Egypt and Bangladesh.

Shringla said the foreign help was coming through four routes: government-to-government sourcing, offers from 40 countries to donate what India requires, procurement by Indian and international corporate groups already plugged into global supply chains, and contributions from the Indian diaspora.

To facilitate easy movement, all such consignments — routed through the Indian Red Cross Society — have been exempt from customs duties and taxes.

Shringla sidestepped questions on assistance offers from China and Pakistan but stressed that materials were being procured in bulk from China.

“We know that a number of companies have been sourcing products from China.... Our missions and posts have been asked to facilitate (this) wherever required.”