Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday interacted with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in the current scenario when India is witnessing massive rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said.

S Jaishankar tweeted: "Received a call from State Councilor & FM Wang Yi conveying China’s sympathies at the COVID challenge now faced by India. Discussed the international cooperation aspects of the public health response to this difficult situation."

"Highlighted the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in these circumstances. Welcomed his assurances in that regard, as also more openness to Indian chartered flights," he said.

India is witnessing a massive rise in COVID-19 cases in recent times.

In a grim picture, India on Saturday reported over 400,000 daily cases -  which many experts say is a grossly undercounted figure - for the first time while registering over 3,500 deaths apparently due to the virus in the last 24 hours.

The hospital beds swamped with patients, people unable to get Oxygen supplies, crematoriums overburdened, pyres burning round the clock and parking lots converted into crematoriums are the usual, worrisome pictures, which can be captured across the country including the national capital Delhi presently.