At Delhi airport, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Dilshod Akhatov handed over kits of mobile oxygen concentrators, humanitarian aid with various drugs in high demand to officials of the Red Cross Society and the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

Representative of the Indian External Affairs Ministry Bandaru Wilsonbabu said that at a time when the current sanitary and epidemiological situation in India is deteriorating, the leadership of Uzbekistan was one of the first to send humanitarian aid, which is a vivid confirmation of the fact that the country is committed to the principles of cooperation and mutual support, as well as is India’s true strategic partner.

The Indian government expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and appreciated the kind gesture of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for sending much-needed emergency supplies at this difficult time. It was emphasized that humanitarian cooperation is one of the important areas in collaboration between India and Uzbekistan during the pandemic crisis.

In 2020, India provided Uzbekistan with medicines, including hydroxychloroquine tablets and other medicines used to treat COVID-19. In March 2021, Uzbekistan received 660,000 doses from the Serum Institute of India under the COVAX initiative.