In view of the humanitarian aspects of the Wuhan virus pandemic, India has decided to lift the blanket ban on the export of anti-malarial Hydroxychloroquine- a drug seen as key in the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic — on a “case by case” basis. Over the weekend, the United States of America President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi had a fruitful conversation where the President had requested his Indian counterpart to export the medicine to the USA.
In view of the humanitarian aspects of #COVID19 pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol & Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pic.twitter.com/W7Vox2sd2E
— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2020
Now a White House press conference has emerged where Donald Trump hinted that there would be retaliation if India does not lift its ban on its export. A meek first look at the video would suggest that Trump is taking a dig at India but when you listen closely—it can be dissected that the President walked right into the trap set by the journalist. Although by the time President Trump came up with the statement India had already given the nod to export the medicine–yet Trump seemed surprised.
https://twitter.com/shubh19822/status/1247362254065897480
“Are you worried about retaliation to your decision to ban export of medical goods like Indian PM Narendra Modi decision to not export hydroxychloroquine to USA” the reporter questioned Trump–to which he replied “I didn’t hear that 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,”
The reporter had cleverly framed the question which questioned Trump’s decision to ban the export of medical goods from the USA and if he expected any retaliatory measures from the countries. The reporter conveniently handed the bait of PM Modi’s decision to ban the medical goods in the latter part of the question and Trump took the bait. Since then the video has been doing the rounds of social media where the question is omitted and the retaliatory part is being paraded by the left-liberals. Trump is known for his outrageous comments and tweets and this statement is being seen in the same light.
The left-liberals had a field day twisting Trump’s statement whereas India and PM Modi had quietly reserved the decision to allow the export of the medicine after the phone call between the two leaders, a report in Live Mint dated 6 April had reported. The two leaders had talked on April 4 where Trump had requested for the medicine to which India had said it would consider the decision.
Had an extensive telephone conversation with President @realDonaldTrump. We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight COVID-19.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2020
One needs to understand that Trump is under extreme duress from all quarters. He played down the fears of Coronavirus being a flu and disappearing like a miracle within a week when the cases first began to appear in the states. Trump was also looking to open the country by Easter but had to drop the suicidal idea after various models claimed that the death numbers in the US could be in millions.
On 30 March he retracted on his statement and called the Americans to practice “social distancing” until at least April 30, and warned that 100,000 or more people may die.
In this clip, Trump:
1. Denies WHO's coronavirus death rate based on “hunch"
2. Calls coronavirus "corona flu"
3. Suggests it's fine for people w/ Covid-19 to go to work
4. Compares coronavirus to "the regular flu," indicating he doesn't get the difference pic.twitter.com/uC9c03zX31— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 5, 2020
Consequentially, his statement is merely being seen as political posturing for the domestic audience. Currently, the USA is the worst affected country by COVID-19 as the number of infected patients is well over 367,650 with 10,943 deaths. The US has overtaken China in the total number of cases by a long shot.
Over the past few weeks, the US president has been aggressively promoting and pegging his hopes on the drug as a treatment for coronavirus, despite there being no conclusive medical evidence to prove its efficacy. In normal routine, the tablets are used to prevent and treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. It is notable here that India is the largest producer of hydroxychloroquine and its formulations in the world. India had temporarily banned the export of the drug on March 25 to stockpile for the domestic demand.
Whatever Trump’s brain fade moment had been in the presser, India has risen above the petty politics of the USA and the liberal media of India. In a catastrophe of such gargantuan proportions, India has taken the humanitarian approach by lending an olive branch to Trump despite his uncalled for statement. Trump needs to get his act together otherwise the USA is in a whole lot of danger if India decides to pull the plug.
