The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi landed in controversy on Sunday after tweeting an appeal to the youth wing of the opposition Congress for medical oxygen amid the unprecedented coronavirus crisis in India that has crippled its healthcare system.
The diplomatic mission quickly deleted the tweet as many wondered whether they had come under government pressure to do so but the Congress splashed photos on social media of its activists delivering the cylinders anyway.
The New Zealand High Commission deleted the tweet addressed to the Congress.
"We are trying all sources to arrange for oxygen cylinders urgently and our appeal has unfortunately been misinterpreted, for which we are sorry," the high commission said in a follow-up tweet.
The Indian Youth Congress live-tweeted its delivery of the medical oxygen, adding that the patient inside was "critically ill".
We have reached New Zealand High Commission with oxygen cylinders.
— Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) May 2, 2021
Please open the gates and save a soul on time. #SOSIYC https://t.co/BzGwj0eKBQ pic.twitter.com/0UVM6GWS0r
Update- New Zealand high commission opened gates of the embassy and accepted cylinders.
— Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) May 2, 2021
Also, they thanked the #SOSIYC team for this quick relief as patient inside embassy was critically ill. https://t.co/BzGwj0wm0q pic.twitter.com/vu6TUhD1r8
Stung by the episode, the Ministry of External Affairs advised foreign missions "not to hoard essential supplies, including oxygen".
"The Chief of Protocol and Heads of Divisions are in continuous touch with all High Commissions, Embassies and MEA is responding to their medical demands, especially those related to Covid. This includes facilitating their hospital treatment. Given the pandemic situation, all are urged not to hoard essential supplies, including oxygen," the foreign ministry said.
The exchange prompted many to question whether the New Zealand mission had been coerced into deleting the tweet because it was embarrassing for the Indian government.
Hi @NZinIndia you didn't have to delete the tweet, or backtrack. Human life is above all diplomacy. There's no scope for misinterpretation here. If you're being pressured, you should reveal it. pic.twitter.com/1oc8Ufzlac
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) May 2, 2021
New Zealand High Commission requests SOS help from @srinivasiyc & the Indian Youth Congress.
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) May 2, 2021
Shamelessly, India's Foreign Ministry under @DrSJaishankar asks them to delete the tweet.
Modi govt is busy with perception management while the Congress is actually saving lives. pic.twitter.com/d7xInOJw3J
The New Zealand mission's SOS to the Congress followed similar appeal by the Embassy of the Philippines that was answered by the party last evening.
#SOSIYC members at Embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi. @indembmanila pic.twitter.com/IkvcKAtdR3
— Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) May 1, 2021
It prompted a bitter exchange between senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no Covid cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling. @Jairam_Ramesh https://t.co/G3jPE3c0nR
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 2, 2021
Jairamji, MEA never sleeps; our people know across the world. MEA also never fakes; we know who does.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 2, 2021
This too cheap publicity, Mr. Minister? @DrSJaishankar https://t.co/YaAMQ4QwAX
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 2, 2021
India is reeling under a massive surge in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed hospitals and left hundreds of patients dying from shortage of oxygen and medicines across the country. Social media has been flooded with appeals for the healthcare essentials and beds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been skewered by critics in the country and the international press for bungling its response to the pandemic and possibly exacerbating it with mega political rallies and religious events.
While the deaths from shortages have piled up, the government has been particularly sensitive about its image in the foreign media, countering unfavourable headlines with rejoinders and social media posts.
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