Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine, Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Harsh Kumar Jain handed over to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine the 12th cargo of humanitarian aid, which included medicines and medical equipment, including hemostatic bandages.
According to a press release from the Indian embassy given to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, India had already transferred 97.5 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which consisted of medical products, blankets, tents, medical products and medical equipment.
“India remains committed to expanding its humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine during this challenging time,” said Ambassador Jain.
In addition, several Indian pharmaceutical companies donated medicines, emergency supplies, food and financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of more than $8 million.
India, the world’s largest importer of edible vegetable oils, expects to receive the first batches of sunflower oil from Ukraine from September after a five-month break caused by the Russian invasion and the blockade of Ukrainian seaports.
According to Bloomberg’s website, citing Indian agricultural trader Sandip Bajoria, India may receive 50-60 thousand tons of sunflower oil in September, as Ukraine is going to open some corridors of the Black Sea for the export of agricultural products from the ports of Odessa and Chernomorsk.
“We have begun to receive offers for August deliveries, but everything will depend on the availability of ships. Ukraine has sufficient reserves of oilseeds for processing,” the trader is quoted as saying.
Sunflower oil imports to India from Ukraine have been suspended since April as the Russian invasion disrupted the country’s trade, he said.
“The Indian government’s decision to allow duty-free imports of 2 million tons of sunflower oil annually this fiscal year and next will support demand. India purchased 1.89 million tons of crude sunflower oil in the year ending October, with Ukraine supplying almost 74%, and Argentina and Russia – about 12%,” the publication clarified in the message.
As reported with reference to the Deputy Minister of Economy – Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka, in the 2021/2022 marketing year (MY, July-June), the country exported 61.52 million tons of grain and oilseeds worth $22.2 billion.
During this period, foreign markets were supplied, including 4.3 million tons of sunflower oil worth $5.8 billion, 3.4 million tons of sunflower meal worth $960 million, 421 thousand tons of soybean meal worth $230 million, 1.1 million tons of soybeans for $641 million, 2.7 million tons of rapeseed for $1.7 billion and 1.09 million tons of sunflower for $616 million.
The number of registered cases of coronavirus infection in the world as of Sunday morning reached 535 million 63 thousand 535, according to data from the American Johns Hopkins University.
Since the beginning of the spread of the virus in the world, 6 million 308 thousand 976 people have died from the consequences of infection with COVID-19.
Countries with more than 20 million infections continue to include the United States, India, Brazil, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The number of infected and those who died from the consequences of infection, respectively, amounted to:
USA – 85 million 500 thousand 976 and 1 million 11 thousand 260.
India – 43 million 222 thousand 17 and 524 thousand 761.
Brazil – 31 million 445 thousand 137 and 668 thousand 74.
France – 29 million 946 thousand 603 and 149 thousand 788.
Germany – 26 million 803 thousand 867 and 139 thousand 806.
Great Britain – 22 million 571 thousand 880 and 179 thousand 884.
According to the Worldometer portal, which specializes in statistics on major world events, the death rate per 1 million people on the planet reached 812.2 on Sunday morning. In the USA, 3 thousand 94 people died per 1 million inhabitants, India – 373, Brazil – 3 thousand 101, France – 2 thousand 269, Germany – 1 thousand 663, Great Britain – 2 thousand 613.
President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (IPMA) Dr. Menon R.U.P. said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine how Indian pharmaceutical companies provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine during the war
– India, like many other countries of the world, helps Ukraine. What kind of humanitarian assistance is already being provided from India to Ukraine?
– Taking into account the humanitarian crisis caused by the events in Ukraine, India has decided to expand humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and neighboring countries:
Since February 24, the Government of India has sent more than 90 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its neighboring Western countries, while private companies and agencies in India have also donated a similar amount of aid, consisting of medicines, blankets, tents, tarpaulins, eye protection, water storage tanks, sleeping mats, surgical gloves, etc.
The Government of India is expected to provide Ukraine with another tranche of essential medicines and medical supplies soon.
Another batch of medical equipment and medicines was also sent to Ukraine as a humanitarian aid by Ocean Philanthropic Center Private Limited (Mumbai, India) in cooperation with the local Rotary Club. In the near future, new shipments of humanitarian aid from the mentioned Indian partners are expected.
– It is known that IPMA, as well as leading Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers, hand over significant humanitarian aid to Ukraine. What has been transferred?
– Almost all members of our association have been living in Ukraine with their families for a long time, their life destiny is connected with Ukraine, and we all believe that it is time to repay the debt.
Members of the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (IPMA), to date, have already donated medical assistance to Ukraine in the form of drugs valued at over UAH 84.8 million and $250,000, and in the form of financial assistance in the amount of more than $500,000 and UAH 11.5 million.
IPMA members provide charitable assistance with medicines, mainly antibiotics, analgesics, hemostatic, anti-allergic, restorative drugs and vitamins.
In addition, many Indians permanently residing in Ukraine are actively involved in providing food and immediate care to the Ukrainian population.
Volunteers from IPMA members are engaged in the delivery of food, medicine and necessary goods that the military and evacuated citizens need. Vehicles were also organized to evacuate people from different areas (from places where fighting was taking place at the time when the evacuation was needed) to the western regions of Ukraine, and many gave their storage facilities to the authorities for humanitarian purposes.
Our members continue to help the people of Ukraine.
Many pharmaceutical companies that cooperate with our association are also involved in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. In particular, the pharmaceutical company Cipla donated a batch of medicines, including urgently needed antibiotics and inhalers worth $120,000. This was also noted with gratitude by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of India.
The Indian company Intas Pharmaceuticals, through Accord Healthcare in Poland, donated medicines worth more than UAH 59 million for the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, including antiemetics, diuretics, antibiotics, antiepileptics, local anesthetics, painkillers and antipyretics.
In the near future, we are waiting for the delivery of humanitarian cargo from India to Ukraine (via Poland) from M.Biotech Limited with medicines, including anesthesia, tranquilizers and hormonal drugs.
– What is the position of India regarding the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine? What does India say about this?
– India has expressed serious concern about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in various statements.
Elaborating on India’s position regarding the conflict, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar told the Indian Parliament on April 6 that India is “strongly opposed” to the conflict and “if it chooses a side, it is the side of peace and an immediate end to violence.” He stated: “We believe that no solution can be achieved through the shedding of blood and the cost of innocent lives. Dialogue and diplomacy are the right answers to any dispute these days. And it should be borne in mind that the modern world order is built on the UN Charter, respect for international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. This is our principled position.
India has consistently encouraged talks between Ukraine and Russia. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has spoken to President Putin and President Zelensky (separately with each of them) several times since February 24. He called for an immediate end to violence and a return to the path of diplomatic negotiations. He also suggested a direct talk between the two presidents.
In addition, during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to India on 1 April, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his call for an end to violence and expressed India’s readiness to contribute in any way to the peace effort. Dr. S. Jaishankar reiterated the need to respect international law, the UN Charter, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Deeply alarmed by the killings of civilians in Bucha, India “unreservedly condemned” these killings and supported the call for an “independent investigation.”
Also, earlier on March 16, Indian ICJ Judge Dalveer Bhandari voted against Russia in a 13-2 verdict that the ICJ is “profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian. Federation in Ukraine, which raises very serious issues of international law.”
It is noteworthy that in India, a “candle ceremony” is held daily near the Ukrainian Embassy and candles are lit in memory of the victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
– How would you comment on India’s position?
– I am not a politician, but as a citizen of India, although I have been living and working in Ukraine for more than 40 years, I would like to emphasize that India’s neutrality in the United Nations does not negate the fact that India is seriously concerned about the situation in Ukraine and Russian aggression in general, the need to comply with the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. India also called for a return to dialogue as a single path forward in its statements and clarifications.
– What are the work plans of Indian pharmaceutical companies in Ukraine?
– All our members, Indian pharmaceutical companies, continue to work in Ukraine, do their best to ensure access to medicines from all distributors and pharmacies in Ukraine, and support Ukrainian patients with their efforts by providing high-quality and safe medicines both at affordable prices and by helping comprehensively as charity.
Our companies are planning to resume imports already in May, to find ways of deliveries through the Polish and Romanian borders.
We believe in the victory of Ukraine and the world!
The official page of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of India states that the Embassy of Ukraine in India expresses its gratitude to the Indian pharmaceutical companies – members (participants) of the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IPMA) and their partners, in particular the companies: AbrylPharma, DiaPharmaLTD., DR. Reddy`s, EuroLifecareLtd./Konark, HeteroLabsLtd., MacleodsPharmaceuticalsLtd., MegaLifesciences, OrganosynLtd., SunPharmaceuticalIndustriesLtd., and IPMA President Dr. Menon R.U.P. for support and assistance to the Ukrainian people.
A group of U.S. Democratic lawmakers, including four senators and a member of the House of Representatives, will travel to Poland, India, Germany, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates to garner support for Ukraine.
“This strong congressional delegation will have the opportunity to meet with U.S. military leadership and troops in Poland in order to learn how the U.S. can continue to support Ukraine and our NATO allies against Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted war,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement, according to The Hill.
“In addition, the delegation will meet with a number of key foreign leaders in Poland, UAE, India, Nepal, and Germany to strengthen ties during this period of heightened global tension,” the congressmen said.
Other senators making the trip with Kelly are Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), the lone House member.
GERMANY, INDIA, NEPAL, POLAND, SUPPORT, U.S. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS, UAE, UKRAINE
Indian and Japanese Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida on Saturday called for peaceful resolution of the situation in Ukraine during a meeting in Delhi, Japan Times has reported.
The leaders urged an “immediate cessation of violence,” and noted that the only way to resolve the conflict is through dialogue and diplomacy.
Kishida and Modi also stressed the importance of ensuring the security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and overcoming the humanitarian crisis that has developed in Eastern Europe due to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees there, Japan Times said.
In addition, the leaders discussed the strengthening of economic ties between the countries and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
