India has given a green signal to the order of the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drug of three countries -- the United States (US), Spain, and Australia. All of these countries had placed an order for the drug earlier.

The US administration terms 'hydroxychloroquine' as a game-changing drug to deal with the COVID-19 crisis although there is still no consensus in the medical community on its use. India is the largest producer of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).

US President Donald Trump has reacted to India giving a go-ahead to the US order for HCQ. In a tweet, he said, "Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends." Thanking "India and the Indian people" for the decision on HCQ, he said that the action "will not be forgotten!" Lauding Modi, the US President said, "Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight!"

Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2020

Notably, Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump had spoken on April 4 and discussed the issue. It was followed up by conversations between Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on April 6 and a conversation between Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Stephen E. Biegun on April 8.

Both sides discussed ways to amp up the COVID-19 cooperation and ensure that the availability of essential medicines and medical equipment occurs between the two countries, along with the sharing of best practices and information.

Jaishankar spoke to Marise Payne and Arancha González, his Australian and Spanish counterparts respectively, on Wednesday regarding the COVID-19 crisis, including talks on the HCQ order. Spain had already placed an order for the drug two months ago from India.

Earlier this week, India had announced that it will give licensed HCQ to neighbouring countries and nations badly impacted by the pandemic. On the export commitments that have been contracted, an MEA statement read that "stock position could allow our" companies to meet them.

India has received requests from 30 countries for HCQ from every part of the globe, including from Gulf and Malaysia.