UAE landmarks lit up in solidarity with India on Sunday night, as the country grapples with a growing Covid-19 crisis.
The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai and the Adnoc headquarters in Abu Dhabi were illuminated with the Indian flag as a global outpouring of support was directed towards the embattled nation.
India reported a world record number of Covid-19 infections for the fourth day running on Sunday.
Another 349,691 cases were confirmed, raising the total to more than 16.9 million, second only to the US.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on Sunday expressed its condolences to the government and people of India over the deaths of those infected with Covid-19, and wished a speedy recovery to the ill.
The ministry stressed the strong ties between the UAE and India.
The recent surge in cases, caused by a new variant of the disease, has placed increasing strain on India's health services.
Supplies of life-saving oxygen are down to critical levels, while burial grounds in the Indian capital New Delhi are running out of space.
The dire situation has prompted nations around the globe to pledge support.
More than 600 pieces of medical equipment will be sent from the UK to help India tackle the deadly second wave of infections.
Ventilators and oxygen concentrators were due to leave for India on Sunday, with the first shipment expected to land on Tuesday.
“We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
Other nations, including neighbour Pakistan and the US, have also sent aid.
The UAE, home to more than three million Indians, suspended flights from India starting from midnight on Saturday in response to its soaring infection rates.
Pavan Kapoor, India’s ambassador to the UAE, said on Sunday that the two countries were working closely to ensure flights could resume as soon as possible.
"We are in touch with the UAE authorities on a regular basis and will work with them to explore how best to restore normal air bubble operations at the earliest," Mr Kapoor told The National.
The UAE will review the suspension of flights from India after 10 days.
People in some exempt categories can still travel to the UAE from India.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management confirmed that UAE citizens, diplomatic missions between the two countries, official delegations, business aircraft and golden residency visa holders are exempt.
There are no restrictions on travel to India from the UAE, Mr Kapoor said.
India battles deadly Covid-19 surge:
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Experts say India's toll could be a huge undercount, as suspected cases are not included and many deaths from the infection are being attributed to underlying conditions. AP -
A relative of a person who died of Covid-19 breaks down during cremation in Jammu. AP -
An unprecedented number of bodies has forced some crematoriums to skip individual ceremonies and exhaustive rituals. AP -
Health workers and relatives carry the body of a Covid-19 victim for cremation in Jammu, India, on Sunday, April 25. AP -
Supplies of life-saving oxygen have been depleted to critical levels across India, leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors. AP -
The federal government has asked industrialists to increase the production of oxygen and life-saving drugs that are also in short supply. AP
