India partially lifts export ban on malaria drugs

THE DECISION COMES AFTER US PRESIDENT TRUMP WARNED OF ‘RETALIATION’ IF

NEW DELHI DID NOT ALLOW THE EXPORTS

NEW DELHI: India has said it will s u p p l y p a r a c e t a mol and hydroxychloroquine to countries “p a r t i c ul a r l y b a d l y affected” by the coronavirus pandemic even as US President Donald Trump warned of ‘retaliation’ if the Indian government did not allow the export of antimalarial drugs that have been touted as a possible treatment for Covid-19 patients.

“In view of the humanitarian aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities,” e x t e r nal a f f a i r s minis t r y spokesperson Anurag Srivastava 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,” Srivastava said.

India has partially eased restrictions on the export of hydroxychloroquine. People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that orders from other countries for hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be cleared only af t er meeting al l domestic requirements.

This came hours after Donald Trump requested the lifting of the hold on hydroxychloroquine exports during a telephone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

Trump also warned of retaliation if India did not take up his request to lift the hold on US orders of the anti-malarial drug.

“I said we’d appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, t hat would be o kay but, o f