India is in crisis, the situation on the ground is dire and her health system has collapsed under the weight of an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 case numbers.

The mutant, more virulent form of the virus is causing havoc. Hospitals have run out of beds, oxygen, other basic equipment and they haven't peaked in terms of case numbers yet. The furnaces in crematoriums are melting and the images of mass funerals are heart breaking.

It is estimated that up to 4 million people could die in a worst case scenario by August this year. A country of 1.3 billion people caught between the conundrum of "lives versus livelihoods" can only do so much on her own.

The Indian diaspora in Australia and in many other countries are distraught and are doing their best to help their homeland.

Through this petition, we urge the Australian Government and Hon Prime Minister Scott Morrison to stand by its strategic partner and friend India in this hour of desperate need and provide urgent relief.