Hydroxychloroquine row: Trump calls Modi 'really Good'

"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 @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!" - Trump hails Modi help, 

SICKULARISM SNUBBED??

The joy of Modi bashers including the Congress and Left parties and a section of Indian intellectuals was short lived.

-Guest Writer Swati Deb

Ms Swati

Typical to his characteristic, US President Donald Trump diluted his stance vis-a-vis retaliation and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him 'great' yet again !

"I bought millions of doses. More than 29 million. I spoke to PM Modi, a lot of it (hydroxychloroquine) comes out of India. I asked him if he would release it? He was Great. He was really good. You know they (India) put a stop because they wanted it (the medicine) for India," Trump told his trusted media organisation Fox News.

Earlier, Modi bashers had slammed government decision to lift the export ban on the item and called it like 'surrender' before the US President's hegemony !

The missives and caustic comments from the anti-Modi lobby had also gone viral on social media.

However, in response to queries on the entire issue, MEA spokesperson  Anurag Srivastava has said : "We have seen some attempts by sections of the media to create unnecessary controversy over the issue of COVID19 related drugs and pharmaceuticals. Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people. In order to ensure this, some temporary steps were taken to restrict exports of a number of pharmaceutical products". 

He further said: "After having confirmed the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies currently envisaged, these restrictions have been largely lifted. With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), they will be kept in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored". 

Shrivastava also has said: "We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been 
particularly badly affected by the pandemic. We would, therefore, discourage any speculation in this regard or 
any attempts to politicise the matter".

A big fuss triggered in a section of media and Modi's traditional detractors after government lifted the ban on export of certain medicines.
Congress party and CPI(M) have - as expected - directed their tirade against the Modi government.

India had banned export of hydroxychloroquine on March 25 in the midst of suggestions that the drug could be used to 
fight COVID-19.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury has flayed lifting of the ban and said: "The polit bureau of the CPI(M) demands 
that this decision is rescinded in the supreme interest of our people's health and safety, which face a major 
threat from the pandemic". 

Congress leader Kapil Sibal had tweeted: "Lifting temporary ban on hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol Modiji: 
UPA remembers your advice on Chinese intrusions. You said Look them in the eye. Was time to look Trump in the eye. But He threatened, you gave in. Where is the 56 inch chest?" 

On April 7, Gujarat Chief Minister said three Gujarat-based pharma companies will supply the drug to US. 

He said three companies from the state will export anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to the United States.

"Three Gujarat-based companies have already started production of that drug ....To be on the safer side, we have kept aside one crore tablet for our own use," the CM said.

"Gujarat is shining the world over. US President Trump has been vigorously demanding that drug from India. Now, when the Centre has given permission for its export, 
Gujarat is all set to send it to the United States," Rupani told a radio channel.


Ends

Close on the heels of US President Donald Trump's demand, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said three companies from the state will export anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to the United States.

"Gujarat is shining the world over. US President Trump has been vigorously demanding that drug from India. Now, when the Centre has given permission for its export, Gujarat is all set to send it to the United States," Rupani told a radio channel adding, his government has kept aside 1 crore hydroxychloroquine tablets to deal with any eventuality.

"Three Gujarat-based companies have already started production of that drug to be supplied to the US. To be on the safer side, we have kept aside 1 crore tablet for our own use," the CM said.

US President Donald Trump had 'warned' India of 'retaliation' if the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine is not supplied to his country.

However, the joy of Modi bashers including the Congress and Left parties and a section of Indian intellectuals wa shortlived.

Typical to his characteristic, Trump diluted his stance vis-a-vis retaliation and thanked PM Modi and called him 'great' yet again !

"I bought millions of doses. More than 29 million. I spoke to PM Modi, a lot of it (hydroxychloroquine) comes out of India. I asked him if he would release it? He was Great. He was really good. You know they put a stop because they wanted it for India." 

Earlier, Modi bashers had slammed government decision to lift the export ban on the item.

In response to queries on the entire issue, the MEA spokesperson  Anurag Srivastava said :

"We have seen some attempts by sections of the media to create unnecessary controversy over the issue of COVID19 related drugs and pharmaceuticals. Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people. In order to ensure this, some temporary steps were taken to restrict exports of a number of pharmaceutical products. In the meanwhile, a comprehensive assessment was made of possible requirements under different scenarios.

After having confirmed the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies currently envisaged, these restrictions have been largely lifted. The DGFT has notified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs yesterday. With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), they will be kept in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted.

Given the enormity of the COVID19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation. This approach also guided our evacuation of nationals of other countries. In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic. We would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter."


ends




CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury flayed the Modi government for partially lifting a ban on export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine.

The party also condemned the "retaliation" threat made by the US President Donald Trump.

The government's decision came a week after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump, who sought supply of hydroxychloroquine to the US to treat coronavirus infected people.

"The polit bureau of the CPI(M) demands that this decision is rescinded in the supreme interest of our people's health and safety, which face a major threat from the pandemic," he said.

On March 25, India banned export of hydroxychloroquine in the midst of views in some quarters that the drug could be used to fight COVID-19. India is the largest exporter of the drug.

It is learnt that high-ranking officials of India and the US were engaged over the issue of supply HCQ to the US by certain Indian companies following telephonic conversation between Modi and Trump and the decision to ease restrictions on export of the drug was result of a process.

Telephone Conversation between PM and the President of United States of America April 04, 2020

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation today with H.E. Donald Trump, President of United States of America. The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global well-being and economy.

The Prime Minister conveyed deep condolences for the loss of lives in the United States, and his prayers for early recovery of those still suffering from the disease.

Stressing the special relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s solidarity with the USA in overcoming this global crisis together. The two leaders agreed to deploy the full strength of the India – US partnership to resolutely and effectively combat COVID-19.

The Prime Minister and the US President exchanged notes on the respective steps taken in each country for mitigating the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

The two leaders also touched upon the significance of practices such as Yoga and Ayurveda (traditional Indian herbal medicine practice) for ensuring physical and mental well-being in these difficult times.

They agreed that their officials would remain in close touch with respect to the global COVID-19 crisis.
- MEA statement

Donald Trump issued a warning to India over the supply of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.

Hours before India's decision to allow the export, Mr. Trump said during a White House COVID-19 briefing that "there may be retaliation" if India doesn't agree to export hydroxychloroquine. 

"For many years, they've been taking advantage of the United States on trade. So I would be surprised if that were his [Modi's] decision. He'd have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we'd appreciate you allowing our supply 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?" Mr. Trump said.