VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi at a press conference while seeing off the dispatch of the equipment to India aboard a Garuda Indonesia aircraft at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, on Wednesday (May 12, 2021). ANTARA/screenshot-Aria Cindyara - 

The Indonesian government offered humanitarian aid to India through the provision of 200 oxygen concentrators to help it better handle the spread of COVID-19 in the country currently battered by the pandemic.

"The humanitarian aid sent comprises 200 oxygen concentrators," Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L. P. Marsudi stated at a press conference while seeing off the dispatch of the equipment to India aboard a Garuda Indonesia aircraft at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, on Wednesday.

Earlier, the government, in cooperation with Indonesian industry associations and relevant stakeholders, had dispatched 1,400 oxygen cylinders to India on May 10, 2021.

The minister affirmed that as an old and close ally as well as strategic partner, Indonesia had kept abreast of the developments of the pandemic situation in India and was ready to respond to urgent requirements for oxygen supplies to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in the south Asian country.

"This humanitarian aid aims to demonstrate solidarity of the people of Indonesia toward India. The assistance is expected to help India deal with the COVID-19 pandemic," she remarked.

Since the pandemic struck, Indonesia and India have worked hand-in-hand to battle the virus. The Indian government has facilitated the exports of raw materials for medicines required by Indonesia during that time. Both nations have also played crucial roles in supporting the vaccine procurement process through the multilateral COVAX facility.

In conversation with Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti, also present at the occasion, the foreign minister expressed Indonesia’s gratitude to India for its support during the pandemic and that it was now Indonesia's turn to show its support.

"Indonesia stands with India in this difficult time, and we are committed to sharing this burden with the Indian people," she remarked//ANT