Hydroxychloroquine: India proves a friend in need is a friend indeed

India manufactures 70 per cent of the world’s supply of hydroxychloroquine .President Donald Trump reeling under the double whammy of US having the highest number of deaths due to Covid-19 globally and the widespread economic devastation ,gave a phone call to PM Modi requesting that India lift the hold on American Order of the anti-malarial Drug. India as a true friend of the American people lifted the ban on April 7th and displayed a gesture of solidarity to its friend in need. President Trump was really touched by India’s gesture and his sincere tweet saying thank you to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian people he emphasized that this help would never be forgotten. The statement of gratitude soothed the nerves of foreign policy watchers who were taken aback at his harsh words before United States received the Hydroxychloroquine shipments . In life and in global diplomacy, all is well that ends well and Indo-US relation is harmonious once again as was demonstrated earlier in ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’ .

India has proven to be a friend in need and hence closer Indo-US ties must be expected especially with regards to the Indo-Pacific region in the future. As China receives criticism from all quarters for its mismanagement and lack of transparency in handling Covid-19, it is the time for India to be more assertive in the region as well as globally and develop stronger diplomatic, military and economic ties with nations across the globe. USA will also have to reciprocate India’s friendship and pave way for Indian economy to be strengthened to counter China’s economic imperialism.

The gratitude in Washington towards India after receiving 35.82 Lakh tablets of Hydroxychloroquine along with nine metric tons of active pharmaceutical ingredients required in the manufacturing of the drug is summed up in a statement of New-York Based Al Manson , a Trump Supporter who said, “US will never forget this great humanitarian gesture by India.” This is a triumph of India’s diplomacy and clearly India has proven the adage: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

13 countries were exempted from export ban initially but now 55 Coronavirus Hit countries are being provided the lifesaving anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine by India in a mixture of a grant and commercial basis. Apart from the United States, Mauritius and Seychelles have already received the drug in the past few days, the demand of HCQ is rising swiftly after India removed the ban on its export. 21 countries are getting it on commercial basis and others on a grant that is in small quantities. The 13 countries which were exempted in the first list from export ban were Brazil, Bahrain, USA, Germany, Spain, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Dominican Republic.

UAE requested India to supply it with Hydroxychloroquine, as a major strategic partner of India ,UAE trusted that the Indian government will accept its request as its ties with India are time-tested. India agreed in a few days and April 16th approved supply of Hydroxychloroquine to it. UAE also has a huge Indian expat population and India will benefit from helping UAE in its fight against Covid-19 by providing it with the lifesaving anti-malarial drug. UAE has been added to the list of countries exempt from the export ban of HCQ.

In an another great humanitarian and diplomatic move by the Indian Government that India has decided to Gift Dominican republic 2,00,000 tablets apart from major pre-contracted consignments to USA a move which has earned India deep gratitude for its kind gesture in troubled times, Foreign Minister of Dominican Republic Miguel Vargas stated , “In these trying time for our country and indeed the whole world, the possibility of procuring the medicine from India will make a tremendous difference because each life saved brings hope to our people.” Such gestures prove that India is a friend of all who wish it well and that in providing humanitarian assistance it is helping a superpower like United States and a lesser power like Dominican republic as well. This should silence the critics who were alleging India had caved into some United States pressure, surely Dominican Republic cannot militarily or economically pressurise a nuclear power India and yet it has received a generous supply of Hydroxychloroquine. India has clearly demonstrated that the only pressure that Indian government feels if of human suffering and supporting humanity in this crisis of Covid-19 and every nation that requests help will be helped.

Brazilian president Bolsonaro was so overcome by emotion that he began to use religious texts while requesting assistance from India in the fight against covid-19, he wrote in a letter to PM Modi that , “Just as Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana, and Jesus healed those who were sick , India and Brazil will overcome this global crisis.” It is good news for India’s soft power that Ramayana is being quoted by Presidents of friendly nations. It is also poignant to note that India is only exporting HCQ to foreign governments and not private companies , a move which is keeping with our global commitment to deal with Covid-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, India has shown tremendous far-sightedness and a vision of a stronger diplomatic bond with nations across the globe by helping other countries in their fight against Covid-19 by providing them with the crucial Hydroxychloroquine drug. This will earn India permanent gratitude from not only governments across the globe but most importantly people of all our friendly nations, PM Modi rightly summarised India’s duty towards humanity when he tweeted in response to President Trump that , “Times like these bring friends closer. The India-US partnership is stronger than ever. India shall do everything possible to help humanity’s fight against Covid-19. We shall win this together.” India truly is the friend in need of humanity.