Rahul Gandhi issues first statement as India approves Hydroxychloroquine export amid Covid

India on Tuesday temporarily licensed export of Paracetamol and anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in appropriate quantities to some neighbouring countries which have been particularly bly affected by coronavirus pandemic and are dependent on India for it. Reacting to this, Congress leer Rahul Gandhi 'welcomed' move but said that lifesaving medicines should be me available to Indians first. This is after MEA in its statement on export d h said "our first obligation is to ensure that re are equate stocks of medicines for requirement of our own people."

'Friendship isn't about retaliation'

Taking to Twitter Congress leer wrote, "India must help all nations in ir hour of need but lifesaving medicines should be me available to Indians in ample quantities first." In his tweet, Rahul Gandhi also wrote "Friendship isn't about retaliation" in an obvious reference to US President Donald Trump statement on Monday where he hinted at a possible retaliation if India does t lift its hold on export of Hydroxychloroquine, anti-malaria drug used in treatment of coronavirus patients.

India allows Hydroxychloroquine exports, warns against politicisation

Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Tuesday said that India will licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all neighbouring countries who are dependent on India's capabilities. statement ded that India will also be supplying se essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly bly affected by pandemic.

Here is full statement by MEA:

"We have seen some attempts by sections of media to create unnecessary controversy over issue of COVID19 related drugs and pharmaceuticals. Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that re are equate stocks of medicines for requirement of our own people. In order to ensure this, some temporary steps were taken to restrict exports of a number of pharmaceutical products. In meanwhile, a comprehensive assessment was me of possible requirements under different scenarios. After having confirmed availability of medicines for all possible contingencies currently envisd, se restrictions have been largely lifted. DGFT has tified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs yesterday. With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), y will be kept in a licensed category and ir demand position would be continuously monitored. However, stock position could allow our companies to meet export commitments that y h contracted. 

Given ermity of COVID19 pandemic, India has always maintained that international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation. This approach also guided our evacuation of nationals of or countries. In view of humanitarian aspects of 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 se essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly bly affected by pandemic. We would refore discour any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise matter."

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Earlier, India''s Directorate General of Foreign Tre on March 25 banned export of Hydroxychloroquine but said that certain shipments on humanitarian grounds may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. ditionally, it was allowed in case of shipments where irrevocable letter of credit was alrey issued or in case where full vance payment was received by exporter in India against specific shipment.

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