India to supply Hydroxychloroquine to nations badly hit by Coronavirus

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a statement, "Given the enormity of the COVID19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation."

"This approach also guided our evacuation of nationals of other countries," he said.

Speaking on supplying drugs, Srivastava said, "In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities."

"We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic," he said.

He said the issue related to such move should not be politicised.

"We would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter," he said.

"With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), they will be kept in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted," read the statement.

The statement was issued just hours after US President Donald Trump commented about "retaliation" if the Narendra Modi-led government did not allow the export of anti-malarial drugs.

"I don't like that decision, I didn't hear that was his decision. I know that he stopped it for other countries. I spoke to him yesterday, we had a very good talk and we'll see whether or not that's his," Trump was quoted as saying during a press briefing.

"I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we'd appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn't allow it to come out. That would be OK. But of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn't there be," he said.