The BJP-led central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government are again on a warpath - this time over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's call to ban all to and fro flights from Singapore in view of a new Covid strain found in that country which is said to be very dangerous for children. 

The Singapore government was quick to issue a rebuttal, insisting that the claims are false and that there is no new Singapore variant of Covid-19 and the strain that's prevalent in recent weeks is B.1.617.2 variant and has originated from India.

The Singapore government also summoned summoned the Indian high commissioner to convey a strong objection to Kejriwal's tweet.

The high commissioner clarified that the Delhi Chief Minister had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy.

Moments later, India foreign minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter to write: "Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship."

"However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify - Delhi CM does not speak for India," he added.

This was clearly avoidable because Kejriwal had just flagged his concerns given that the second wave of coronavirus has caused death and destruction in India. 

One needs to be alert and highlight concerns to be prepared to tackle the situation. 

Both Centre and Delhi government had faulted in the second wave that ravaged India and were caught napping as the capital city gasped for oxygen and many died due to lack of hospital beds and medicines. 

While Centre declared war against Covid successful, AAP government lowered its guard and closed all make-shift hospitals and quarantine centres. 

Had India been alert when Covid hit Wuhan in China and banned all international flights, the country might have been in a better position.

Kejriwal too did not randomly target Singapore. There were reports suggesting that the Singapore variant is attacking children and fast spreading to other countries.

Clearly, the Centre had overreacted.