By Arul Louis

United Nations, Apr 18 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres salutes India and all countries that are helping others in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Asked by a reporter at his daily briefing on Thursday about India sending aid to several countries facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Dujarric said: "The secretary-general calls for global solidarity in this struggle against the virus. That means that every country who is in a position to help another country should. We salute those countries that are doing so."

India has offered to help member countries of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has sent medicines to several countries, including the US, Brazil and Israel.

India has sent its military health professionals to Kuwait and Maldives to help deal with the pandemic.

In contrast to the UN reaction, within India the sending of hydroxychloroquine to the US has been criticised by Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi and others from his organisation.