A Day After Talking About Retaliation Trump Changes Tune, Backs India’s Stance Over Hydroxychloroquine

United States President Donald Trump who yesterday (7 April) acknowledged that a retaliation against India may well be on the cards if the latter does not permit the export of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine, has now changed its tune and backed India’s stance on the drug, Economic Times has reported.

Trump while speaking to Fox journalist Sean Hannity heaped praise on Prime Minister Modi and also laid out India’s position on the matter.

“I bought millions of doses. More than 29 million. I spoke to PM Modi, a lot of it 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. But there is a lot of good things coming from that”, Trump has been quoted as saying.

Soon after Trump’s “retaliation” statement, misinformation was spread in a section of the media which alleged that India’s decision to allow export of Hydroxychloroquine to badly affected nations was a result of the US President’s threat.

Following the controversy, the External Affairs Ministry clarified that the export restrictions were only lifted after ensuring adequate stock to meet India’s own needs while keeping in mind various contingencies. The announcement to allow the export also came prior to Trump’s statement threatening retaliation.