DHAKA, – India today handed over Bangladesh 31 ambulances with inbuilt life support equipment alongside nearly 20 tonnes of essential medical apparatus as the first tranche of gifts announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Dhaka visit in March this year.

Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen received the tranche from Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami at a ceremony at State Guest House Padma in the capital.

The medical apparatus included oxygen nasal cannula, Oxygen face masks, Oxygen flow meters, non-rebreather mask, pulse oxymeter devices, high flow nasal cannulas, Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders of 10 Ltr capacity, LMO Cylinders of 45 ltrs capacity, Oxygen concentrators and infra thermometers.

“Whenever we are in critical problem, it is India which comes forward to help us,” he said expressed his gratitude to the next-door neighbour for its continued cooperation in combating the COVID 19 pandemic.

He also recalled India’s recent oxygen supply to Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh and India have been working together in partnership since the outbreak of the pandemic,” Momenn said adding the pandemic required all countries to work together in partnership and collaboration.

The Indian premier had announced New Delhi would provide Bangladesh 109 life support ambulances while officials said the supplies were part of his commitment.

The foreign minister expressed his hope India would start giving the pledged COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh soon as per the commitment under a commercial agreement.

Doraiswami said India that would resume its vaccine supply abroad as soon as the internal crisis was over and Bangladesh would get the jabs as per commitment as New Delhi’s “priority partner”.

“India remains committed to doing all it can as a close partner (of Bangladesh), and a civilizational friend, within the limits of our capacity and in a manner that is sustainable,” he said.

The envoy said India consistently prioritized regional and international cooperation including through policy measures, capacity building, and cross-border flows of medical supplies, as part of “humanity’s fight against this coronavirus”.

“We have and will continue to prioritize our most cherished partnerships with our closest neighbours, especially Bangladesh,” Doraiswami said.

The Indian High Commission issued a subsequent statement saying these supplies were intended to further support Bangladesh’s extensive efforts to combat the COVID pandemic and beyond.

These ambulances therefore reflect India’s unswerving and long-term commitment to its unique and special friendship with the Bangladeshi people, it added.

“As our ties transcend even strategic partnerships, India remains ready to further support the government and people of Bangladesh in their own resolute responses to public health emergencies within the limits of India’s own capacity,” said the high commission.

The remaining out of total 109 ambulances would be delivered shortly, the release added.