During the current despondent times when even keeping track of the Covid-19 meter smoothly is not that an easy task as additions keep coming rapidly and when the entire world is fighting the pandemic with its back pushed to the wall, an old and much-used method of the arm-twisting version of  the American brand of diplomacy has drawn attention. US President Donald Trump, as if keeping his national tradition alive, on Tuesday issued a warning to India, albeit in a veiled fashion which when decoded  simply means- respond to our call or face action. It took not even a couple of seconds for Mr Trump to get into his elements and forget his much-hallowed and media-hyped ‘friendship’ with India, which he reiterated so loudly during his visit to the country a few weeks back. The crude nature of diplomatic practices of world superpowers remains unchanged, and they never waste an opportunity to apply it for their gains. Doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or how much critical they are in the global context.

The centre of attention is hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and it has shot into prominence since a few scientific findings have suggested that they are capable of blocking the coronavirus, which is humanity’s biggest challenge now. Going strictly by the established scientific protocols, it cannot be said with emphasis that HCQ, one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs is the ultimate antidote to Covid-19 as much of the complete clinical trials are yet to be made. But since it’s a desperate world now seeking a stop-gap solution and more since a proper vaccine is still a long way to arrive, HCQ has suddenly become the "game-changer", if Mr Trump is quoted verbatim. The controversy has arisen since India earlier announced the ban of all exports of the drug "without exception". But, the way India has retreated under this masked threat must have annoyed many in the nation. And it can well be deciphered that to make sure that the ‘response’ doesn’t sound  exclusively an US-specific or rather an US- dictated move,  India has  decided that  nations badly affected by the virus would be supplied with  the drug in appropriate quantities keeping in mind the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic. Judging the current developments, India, perhaps had no other choice and for the time being it’s no way out but to digest it with difficulty. 

Coming to America’s perennial habit of flexing muscles, it must be mentioned that despite appeals from several international organizations, civil society activists and from within his country itself, Trump administration has still not lifted sanctions on Iran, at least temporarily, which might have allowed the country to fight the pandemic in a more better manner.

Really, some things and some nations never change.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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