India now accounts for nearly half of the world's new known cases as country recorded more than 400,000 new infections today.

In a letter, Gandhi implored Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prepare for another national lockdown, accelerate a country-wide vaccination programme and scientifically track the virus and its mutations.

Heavy bombers and fighter jets have been deployed to safeguard troops and civilian contractors.

India today recorded the highest-ever one-day rise in the number of COVID-19 cases for any country for the second day in a row as 4,14,188 people tested positive for the virus during the last 24 hours.

Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority said that travellers from India will not be allowed to disembark in Sri Lanka.

Heavy bombers and fighter jets will also be deployed to safeguard troops and civilian contractors.

In a tweet, he said the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and zero strategy of the Centre are pushing the country towards a complete lockdown.