Combating Covid-19: Trump praises, thanks Modi profusely for decision on anti-malaria drug

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USA, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, hydroxychloroquine, coronavirus, Covid-19

New Delhi/Washington - US President lavishes praise on Modi's decision to increase exports of hydroxychloroquine.

By IANS

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Published: Fri 10 Apr 2020, 12:34 AM

The US president Donald Trump on Thursday profusely praised and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to supply hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the anti-malaria drug used for Covid-19 disease, to some of the most-affected nations.
In a tweet, President Trump said: "Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!"
President Trump's admiration for Modi and gratitude towards India, put rest to several speculative media reports that claimed that the Indian government had taken the decision to lift the ban on the export of HCQ under the "threat of retaliation" in international trade by the US.

At a White House press briefing on Monday, President Trump, in response to a question whether he was worried about "retaliation to the US ban on export of medical goods" from India, had said: "I would be surprised if he (Modi) would, you know, because India does very well with the US... I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we'd appreciate you allowing our supply (of HCQ) to come out. If he doesn't allow it to come out, that would be ok. But of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn't there be?"
Trump's response to the reporter's leading question was construed by some sections of the Indian media as a threat even as the government denied that it had taken the decision under any pressure.
In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, India on Tuesday decided to license paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to neighbouring countries which are dependent on Indian capabilities. India will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations which have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic, a ministry of external affairs statement said.
The US as of Tuesday had the highest number of the novel coronavirus cases in the world, with over 418,000 cases of infections and over 14,200 deaths.
In comparison, India has managed to contain the pandemic with 178 deaths and over 5900 cases of infections.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has notified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs. Paracetamol and HCQ, have been kept in a licensed category and their demand status is to be continuously monitored.
HCQ is being used to treat Covid-19 patients and as prophylactic by the frontline healthcare workers deployed in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The Modi government had imposed a ban on export of the drug since the coronavirus outbreak hit India.
 


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