India, which has managed to contain the spread of the Covid 19 infections in the country, could take the lead position now in fighting Covid 19 pandemic in the region. As the Indian Railways crossed the international border for the first time to deliver 200 MT of medical oxygen to Bangladesh, which is battling the rise in Covid 19 cases, sources said that New Delhi will do all it can to contain the spread of the infection in the region.

They said that India is committed to fighting the deadly virus jointly with the neighbouring countries.

“Though India is not is a position to immediately supply Covid 19 vaccines at this stage without first taking care of its own citizens, the government will do all it can to ensure that other medical facilities reach the neighbours. This is in line with the Neighbours’ First policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” one of them told India Narrative. He added that the fight against the virus is a collective responsibility that needs to be resolved jointly.

Also read: India rushes train to Bangladesh with oxygen as supplies run short amid raging Covid

The Indian Railways launched the “Oxygen Express” trains in April to supply liquid oxygen to various parts of the country. About 480 trains have supplied more than 35,000 MT of oxygen.

According to Dhaka Tribune, Covid-19 deaths and cases are once again on the rise especially after the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations. The newspaper said that the “infection rate against all tests conducted in the country to date stands at 15.62 per cent.” The recovery rate stands at 85.77 per cent and the mortality rate at 1.65 per cent, it said.

Meanwhile, Modi, speaking to Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, assured him of all support related to Covid 19.