Coronavirus crisis uncovers solid nature of UAE-Indian relations

Aya Ezz

Relations between the United Arab Emirates and India are strong and old.

These relations rely on political, strategic, social and economic cooperation between the two countries.

This was why Abu Dhabi was one of the earliest countries to extend its hands to help India as it fights the coronavirus. This support, which included medical aid, helped India better fight the disease.

India has been one of the largest recipients of UAE support over the past years. The UAE succeeded in becoming a major contributor to social development in India.

In 2016, the UAE offered India $32 million in aid to India, which was distributed to the health and social care sectors.

Fighting the coronavirus

The UAE sent 7 tons of medical supplies to India to help the country better fight the coronavirus, the official UAE news agency said.

It added that over 7,000 health service workers would benefit from the aid.

UAE charities, some of them have branches in India, offered financial support to Indian hospitals, especially those located in the Indian countryside.

The same charities offered food aid to poor Indian families whose living conditions have been significantly and negatively affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Medical support

UAE support to India was not limited to the fight against the coronavirus. It also included other aspects. UAE charities launched an initiative that aims at offering healthcare to over 5,000 people in remote Indian villages.

Other initiatives by the same charities are helping AIDS patients reintegrate into society. They also offered support to Indian hospitals so that they can offer care to poor Indians.

Humanitarian support

UAE ambassador to India Ahmed Abdel Rahman al-Bana said his country is committed to offering effective support to other countries in the fight against the coronavirus.

UAE support to India, he added, comes in appreciation of friendly relations between the two countries.

He noted that the humanitarian aid sent by the UAE to other countries come in line with the role it plays in the fight against the coronavirus at the international level.