Highlights
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Immigration Minister Alex spoke to community leaders on Wednesday
- Mr Morrison said Australia can't send oxygen tanks to India for safety reasons
- National Cabinet will decide on opening Australia's borders with other countries
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday assured community leaders that his government would shortly resume repatriation flights with India to bring back about 8,000 Australians stranded in the South Asian country.
"I thank the Indian community in Australia for their patience," Prime Minister Morrison told representatives from various communities in an online meeting.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday held a meeting with community leaders. Source: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
"I know they understand the severity of the outbreak in India. We will be returning to the repatriation flights soon and bringing more Australians home from India," he said.
Mr Morrison, however, didn't provide a timeframe.
On Tuesday, Australia suspended flights from India until May 15. India is witnessing a second wave of coronavirus, with daily cases hitting more than 300,000 mark and 2,000 deaths.
India is facing an acute shortage of oxygen and beds in hospitals.
India is facing an acute shortage of oxygen and beds in hospitals. Source: AAP Image/Naveen Sharma /SOPA Images/Sipa USA
Amarjit Grewal, president of the Indian Australian Association of South Australia president, represented the Indian community in the meeting with Prime Minister Morrison and Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.
"Prime Minister Morrison assured us that Australia is doing everything to help India. We support Australia's decision to suspend flights from India as it was based on health experts advice," Mr Grewal told SBS Hindi after the meeting.
"The coronavirus cases in Australian quarantine hotels are rising, and it puts the Australia's 25 million population at risk," he said.
Prime Minister Morrison said Australia, the US, the UK, and Japan are providing all possible help to India.
Amarjit Grewal, president of the Indian Australian Association of South Australia, said he supports Australia's decision to suspend flights from India, Source: Supplied by Amarjit Grewal
"It is just heartbreaking the images that we are seeing, and I can only imagine what it's like for our wonderful Indian community here in Australia," Mr Morrison said.
"What has occurred in India is sadly a terrible reminder of how serious and aggressive this pandemic can be. We will continue to work with communities to provide the right support.
"We feel a special responsibility to India because of the relationship we have," he said.
Mr Morrison said Australia has limited resources and is providing oxygen concentrators and PPEs equipment that are currently in high demand in India.
He said Australia can't send oxygen tanks to India for safety reasons.
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said the National Cabinet will decide on opening Australia's borders with other countries.
"At this stage, we see an awful tragedy unfolding in India. We need to make sure we have to keep our borders safe," Mr Wood said.
More than 20,000 people from India have returned to Australia through repatriation flights since October last year.
