Speaking in Washington DC at a presser, US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he wouldn't rule out possible retaliation if India does not lift a ban on the export of Hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug used in the treatment of coronavirus patients, for the benefit of the US.

"I spoke to him (Narendra Modi) Sunday morning and said that we appreciate that you are allowing our supply (of Hydroxychloroquine) to come out. If he doesn't allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course, there may be retaliation, why wouldn't there be?" Trump said.

Contrary to what the media has been reporting, Trump used the word "retaliation" only because a reporter had asked him if there would be retaliation by the US if India doesn't export the drug.

That said, Trump's language is totally irresponsible. "No one should be making crazy statements during a global pandemic but exporting this drug to the US makes sense. The odds are a cure for this disease or a vaccine will come out of the US. In such a situation do we want to be at the bottom of the list to get it for our population?" says Ishaan Prakash, a journalist.