China should help stop price surging of COVID-19 supplies: Indian envoy in Hong Kong

India has called upon China to help stop surging prices and increase cargo flights to get urgently needed supplies to the pandemic-ravaged country.

Indian companies have sourced oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies from their Chinese counterparts but have been hit with prices at more than double the usual rate, while cargo flights between the two countries have yet to return to previous levels, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP).

India’s envoy in Hong Kong Priyanka Chauhan told (SCMP) in an interview that price instability and transport disruptions had affected moves to ramp up production in India to deal with its recent surge in coronavirus cases, and the Chinese government could step in.

“What I would like say is that our expectation at this point is that the supply chain should remain open and product prices should remain stable,” she said.

“Even if there is a little bit of supply demand pressure, there has to be some stability and predictability to product prices. There has to be a sense of governmental level support and efforts. I don’t have the information as to how much influence the Chinese government can have in this matter but if they can, then it would be welcome,” she added.

SCMP said in its report, “India is grappling with the world’s worst Covid-19 outbreak. Daily cases rose by 329,942 on Tuesday, while deaths from the disease increased by 3,876, according to the health ministry. The surge has left the country scrambling for medical supplies and professionals to care for the growing numbers of patients. A number of countries have also slapped bans on travellers from India.”