Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday spoke with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and said his nation will continue supporting India by supplying ventilators and oxygen concentrators.

India is currently witnessing a deadly COVID-19 second wave.

After his interaction with Modi, Morrison tweeted: "Just spoke with our friend, PM @narendramodi who thanked Australia for standing by India during the #COVID19 crisis. We’re supporting them with ventilators and oxygen concentrators. We won’t forget India’s generosity in exporting vaccines. We’ll work closely on global challenges."

Modi tweeted: "Spoke with my friend @ScottMorrisonMPto thank him for Australia’s solidarity and support for India’s fight against the pandemic.We agreed on the importance of ensuring affordable and equitable access to vaccines and medicines, and discussed possible initiatives in this regard." (SAM)

Morrison confirmed on Friday that the ban on travel from India would end on May 15, paving the way for thousands of Australians stranded in the country to return home, IBNS said.

The controversial ban, which was introduced in response to India's coronavirus crisis, made it a criminal offence to try and enter Australia within 14 days of being in India.

Morrison said the National Security Committee of Cabinet agreed there was no need to extend the ban beyond the planned date of May 15.

"What we will be doing is receiving our first repatriation flight into the Northern Territory as part of the charter arrangements that we have with our airlines to bring back those first people from India at that time," he said.

There are about 9,000 Australians who are stuck in India and want to come home.