India, China spar over drug supplies

New Delhi, February 23

After sparring over lack of permission to an Indian military aircraft to land at Wuhan with medical supplies and evacuate Indians, China and India have locked horns over New Delhi placing curbs on export of over essential medicines, including antibiotics, vitamins and hormones.

India says the measure is meant to guard against shortage of essential drugs due to the outbreak of coronavirus. But China says WHO has repeatedly asked countries not to impose such curbs in times of epidemic outbreak. Ji Rong, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy, hoped that India would review the epidemic situation in an objective, rational and calm manner.

“WHO’s recommendations should be followed by all parties,” she said. New Delhi, however, claims that it wants to preserve essentially needed medicines because most of the active pharmaceutical ingredient comes from Hebei province, the epicentre of the coronavirus. “Just like any other country, India with a billion plus population has the responsibility to take the steps to combat the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak which if not properly managed can become a global risk,” said MEA’s Raveesh Kumar.

He appealed to China to permit the Indian military plane to reach Wuhan with medical supplies and allow it to bring back Indians as well as some citizens from neighbouring countries. — TNS