India on Tuesday partially lifted the ban on export of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the US after President Donald Trump hinted at “retaliation” if India does not remove restrictions on the anti-malaria drug, which he has often claimed is the “game changer” in fighting coronavirus pandemic there. The Congress, the TMC and the Left parties have slammed both Trump and the Modi Government over the issue.
The US President’s threat led to an upheaval in the social media here with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying life-saving medicines should be first made available to Indians and remarked “friendship is not about retaliation.” He also said India must help all nations in their hour of need.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday to partially lift curbs on export enforced on March 25, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the anti-malaria drug would be supplied to “some countries” which are “badly affected” by COVID-19.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed his objection to the Government U-turn on the issue, saying, “life saving” drug should be made available to the country first.
He tweeted, “Friendship isn’t about retaliation. India must help all nations in their hour of need but lifesaving medicines should be made available to Indians in ample quantities first.”
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also criticised Trump saying, “Never in my decades of experience in world affairs have I heard a Head of State or Government openly threatening another like this. What makes Indian Hydroxychloroquine “our supply”, Mr President? It only becomes your supply when India decides to sell it to you.” (sic)
Rubbing into the Modi Government, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said, “It is embarrassing for the entire country that Donald Trump threatens retaliation if the Indian Government did not allow the supply of medicines. PM Narendra Modi who wasted one full month and Rs 100 crore for ‘’Namaste Trump’’, has now meekly surrendered and has revoked the ban on exports of medicines.”
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra was not so subtle in her criticism of Modi. “56 inches used to bully Opposition at home. Use it to stand up to those who bully India. We and we alone decide when and how much to sell - please make this clear #Modiji . We’re with you on this,” Moitra tweeted.
On his part the MEA spokesperson said that like any responsible Government, India’s first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of its 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,” Srivastava said, adding “we would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter.”
Srivastava said the restrictions have been largely lifted after confirming the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies. “The DGFT (Directorate General Foreign Trade) has notified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs yesterday (Monday). With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine, they will be kept in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. However, stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments they had contracted,” he said.
India is one of the biggest produces of these generic medicines.
On Monday, during a media briefing at the White House, Trump said he would be “surprised” if New Delhi does not send Hydroxychloroquine after his phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.
Reiterating that India has been taking advantage of the US for many years in connection with trade, Trump said, “I didn’t hear that was his (Modi) decision. I know that he stopped it for other countries I spoke to him yesterday, very very good talk, and we’ll see whether or not that stays I wouldn’t be surprised if he would you know because India’s does very well with the United States.”
“So, I would be surprised if that were his decision. He’d have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said we’d appreciate your allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be?”
Meanwhile, accusing US President of arm-twisting India, CPI(M) Politburo on Tuesday urged the Modi Government to consider only the safety and welfare of the people of India. “Trump’s threat to India is in tune with the obnoxious attempts to secure drugs and other pandemic related material and in diverting supplies meant for other countries in pure self interest,” said Politburo.
The US President has over the last few days described Hydroxychloroquine as a “game-changer” though it is yet to be established as an effective cure for COVID-19.
Last month, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had recommended the use of Hydroxychloroquine for treating healthcare workers serving coronavirus patients.
In a notification on March 25, the Government announced a hold on the medicine’s export, adding that it would be allowed only on “case-to case basis” on humanitarian grounds.
Hydroxychloroquine tablets are recognised as a prophylactic for those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 - doctors, nurses, paramedics, and first responders - and can be used to treat patients. With more than 3 lakh confirmed cases of coronavirus and nearly 10,000 fatalities, the US has emerged as the worst-hit countries of the pandemic. And based on some initial results, the Trump administration is banking heavily on hydroxychloroquine.
