New Delhi: China is “deliberately delaying grant of clearance” for a special Indian flight to the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city to deliver medical supplies and evacuate remaining Indians from there, sources said.
It added that Beijing is “creating a roadblock” for India's evacuation efforts.
India had planned to send a massive C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, on February 21, but the flight has been unable to leave because of lack of clearance from Chinese authorities.
Sources said, “There are relief and evacuation flights from other countries which are still going on, including by France. Why is the Chinese government delaying clearance for the relief flight? Are they not interested in Indian aid provided as our token of support? Why are they creating roadblock in evacuating our nationals from Wuhan and putting them under hardship and mental agony?”
On February 17, India had announced that it will send Indian Air Force's largest plane, C-17 Globemaster, with medical supplies to Wuhan, and bring back its nationals as well as citizens from all neighbouring countries who were still stuck there on the return flight.
India evacuated 647 Indians and seven Maldivians in two special Air India flights to Wuhan earlier this month.
“Indian nationals in Wuhan continue their long wait for the flight which will evacuate them to India. The delay is causing them and their family members in India tremendous mental anguish,” sources said.
