'Modi is a great person', US Prez grateful to India for export of HCQ

Washinton DC, April 9: Following the warning of retaliating for not lifting the ban over hydroxychloroquine, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his gratitude towards India and PM Narendra Modi for allowing the export of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and saying it would be a game-changer in the battle against COVID-19.

 

 

 

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 Modi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!" 

 

 

His words of praise for PM Modi sends a clear message that the Indian government has decided to partially export the HCQ only on "humanitarian ground" and not under the "threat of retaliation" in international trade by the US. 

 

Trump had earlier warned India that the US may retaliate if it did not export anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine despite his request, saying he would be surprised in case of a negative outcome as New Delhi has good relations with Washington. According to the source, the first shipment of the total 29 million doses of the drug was on its way from Gujarat to the united states.

 

Amid rising pressure and after India has got a request from 30 countries including the US, the government on Tuesday lifted all the ban over the export of Hydroxychloroquine saying, it will allow limited exports of the key drug to "nations that have been badly affected" by the pandemic.

 

However, hydroxychloroquine, an old and inexpensive drug used to treat malaria, is seen as a viable therapeutic solution by Trump to coronavirus that has so far killed more than 10,000 Americans and infected over 3.6 lakh within weeks.

 

Moreover, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has also thanked PM Modi and the people of India for helping Brazil with Hydroxychroloquine to treat coronavirus patients.