PM Modi has let down India, his government has behaved to the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump that ‘there may be retaliation’ if India did not agree to export the drug, CPI(M) leader Yechury said.
The US threat
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier said “there may be retaliation” if India did not agree to export hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a key anti-malarial drug considered by many to be effective in the treatment of the novel coronavirus.
“I don’t like that decision, I didn’t hear that 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… For many years, they’ve been taken advantage of the United States on trade. So I would be surprised if that were his decision. He’d have to tell me that. 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?,” the US President said.
Hours after the statement from US President, India confirmed that it has lifted the blanket ban on the export of HCQ.
Sitaram Yechury’s disappointment
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a tweet said that while Mr. Trump’s statement was unacceptable, India’s quick surrender was equally disappointing.
“The statement by the US President is unacceptable. But Modi govt has succumbed to the threat by allowing the export. That this happened after an expensive gala was organized for him by Modi, instead of preparing to contain COVID-19, shows how this govt has let down India,” he tweeted.
The statement by US President is unacceptable. But Modi govt has succumbed to the threat by allowing the export. That this happened after an expensive gala was organised for him by Modi, instead of preparing to contain Covid-19, shows how this govt has let down India. https://t.co/3g1K4Q0bfi
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 7, 2020
