Boris Johnson
UK to send medical supplies to India
The UK will send medical equipment to India as the latter continues to suffer from a record surge in coronavirus cases, the British government announced Sunday, reported Anadolu Agency.
India set a new global record for daily coronavirus cases for the fourth day in a row on Sunday.
There were 349,691 new cases, taking the total to 16.96 million. Only the US has had more overall cases.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been due to visit India this week but cancelled his trip due to the surge in coronavirus cases there.
In a statement, he said: "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19.”
"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.
"We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time, and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against pandemic," he added.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: "Today we have sent the first of several urgent deliveries of surplus medical equipment to our friends in India to help provide life-saving care for vulnerable Covid patients. No-one is safe until we are all safe."
India is also suffering from acute shortages of oxygen. The first shipment of medical supplies from the UK will arrive in India on Tuesday morning.
The nine airplane container loads include 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators. Further shipments of British medical supplies to India will also be sent.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The heart-breaking scenes in India show once again how awful this terrible disease is.”
"We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen.
"This first delivery of life saving equipment will provide much needed assistance and we stand ready to do more."
Meanwhile, the UK reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus cases since early September as Britain’s successful vaccination programme continues to prevent a surge of infections despite loosening lockdown measures.
UK PM hails Bangladesh’s growth
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed Bangladesh as “one of the fastest-growing economies in the world” and emphasised that the UK and Bangladesh share the ambition to create an even more prosperous and environmentally-sustainable future.
He congratulated the people of Bangladesh on their Golden Jubilee and said he looks forward to the two countries working together to create an environmentally-sustainable future.
“It’s amazing to reflect on how much your nation has achieved since the circumstance of its birth," said the UK Prime Minister.
In a video message, Johnson remembered the historic visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Downing Street in London in 1972, describing the visit as “instrumental in forging the friendship” between the UK and Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Johnson recalled fondly his visit to Bangladesh in 2018, when he was welcomed “with a great deal of warmth and generosity”.
He emphasised the bond between the UK and Bangladesh, “incarnated by the 600,000 strong British-Bangladeshi community who contribute so much to the United Kingdom every day”.
The British Prime Minister said, “I think particularly of the fantastic doctor and nurses in our NHS, many of whom are helping to treat and vaccinate people in our battle against COVID-19”.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister [Sheikh] Hasina and to seeing her again at COP26 in Glasgow. But for now, as we look ahead to the next 50 years of British and Bangladeshi friendship, I wish everyone the very best for your Golden Jubilee.”
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