Taiwan plans to rush oxygen concentrators and other medical aid to India this week in an effort to help the country battle the surging coronavirus cases.

Taiwan News reported on Wednesday that Deputy Foreign Minister Miguel Li-jey Tsao is liasioning with governmental and non-governmental bodies to raise medical supplies for India. "We are striving to get enough devices. The first batch of oxygen generators will be delivered by China Airlines this week. It’s long-term aid,” Tsao said.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu had announced his country's support to India through Gourangalal Das, DG of the India Taipei Association. The two nations maintain their diplomatic relations through their cultural and business offices as India, like most other countries, has not recognised Taiwan as an independent country.

Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen also tweeted her support for India. From her handle, iingwen she said: “On behalf of all #Taiwanese people, I would like to express my serious concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in #India. Taiwan stands with India in this difficult time, & we are ready to provide help.”

Taiwan is mustering a series of humanitarian aid packages for India based on discussions with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India. The island nation has identified oxygen concentrators as the most sought-after medical devices in India which is in the severe grip of coronavirus for the past one month.

India has sought international assistance for drugs, oxygen generators as well as vaccines after hospitals reported short supplies. Countries like Russia, USA, Germany, the UK and many others have flown in emergency medical supplies to India.

On Wednesday India crossed the 200,000 mark in Covid-19 deaths since the pandemic first surfaced in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. India also reported a new record of 3,23,144 new infections on Wednesday. The rising number of cases daily is straining healthcare facilities across the country, forcing India to seek global help.