India is ready to lift the ban on the export of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to Russia for the treatment of patients infected with new coronavirus, said the Indian Ambassador to Moscow Mr. Bala Venkatesh Varma.
“As for the hydroxychloroquine that is produced in India, of course, we have our own needs for this medicine, but India stated that this is a humanitarian issue and we will support our close friends. Russia has an interest in it, and the Indian Government has guaranteed that we will do everything possible in the current conditions in the spirit of friendship between our countries. The Russian side has addressed us with a corresponding request, and we expect a positive response,” TASS quotes the Ambassador.
He noted that the situation with the spread of coronavirus will not affect the schedule for the implementation of military contracts between Russia and India, including the supply of S-400.
“There has been slight dislocation of a couple of weeks but all the major contracts will be on schedule, I don’t anticipate any problem on that,” the diplomat said.
Since March 25, a three-week “nationwide lockdown” has been announced in India. Residents of the country were asked not to go outside without good reason. Public transport, taxis, subways and railways were limited. Also, until April 14, all domestic and international passenger flights are prohibited.
US President Donald Trump has threatened India with retaliatory measures if the Indian side imposes a ban on the supply of medicines to the United States.
The latest data on the COVID-19 situation in Russia and in the world are published on the «Стопкоронавирус.рф» portal.
