Sj Desk
On Tuesday, during a telephonic conversation, China urged India not to resort to calling the deadly COVID-19 'China Virus', saying that the term could stigmatize the country. State councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi told counterpart S Jaishankar that China hopes that India was “opposed” to the “narrow mindset” of using the phrase “China virus”.
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China has already engaged with US President Donald Trump in a war of words after the latter called the novel virus "Chinese virus."
The pandemic first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, before spreading like wildfire across the globe. While the situation is getting better in the former epicenter, outside the mainland the conditions have worsened as governments are gearing up to contain the highly contagious virus that has infected over 4,00,000 worldwide.
In India, the number of infected cases has crossed 560, with 10 reported deaths. Health authorities are urging citizens to stay at home, which is the only way to curb the outbreak.
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On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown in an effort to battle the pandemic that has gripped the nation. In his address to the nation, he that observing the 21-day lockdown will save the country from going 21 years back. "Jaan hai toh jahan hai", he quoted.
Barring essential services, India is on complete lockdown.
We stand united (yet apart), in these trying times.
