India was nearing 30,000
Coronavirus infections on Tuesday, second only to
China in Asia, a steady rise that would make it difficult to lift a nearly six-week lockdown that ends this weekend, health officials and some government leaders said.
Neighbouring
Pakistan also recorded a jump in cases and deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, and there were concerns that many people were gathering in mosques for Ramadan prayers despite strict rules on distancing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has allowed some farm and industrial activity to resume in less-affected rural areas after the shutdown of the
economy left millions without work and short of food and shelter.