Brazil President Invokes Ramayana In Letter To PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invoked India's mythology 'Ramayana' and thanked him for lifting restrictions on the exports of drugs that is used for the potential treatment of COVID-19.

“Just as Lord Hanuman brought the holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Lord Rama’s brother Laksmana, and Jesus healed those who were sick and restored the sight of Bartimeu, India and Brazil will overcome this global crisis,” President Bolsonaro wrote in the letter.

India is the largest exporter of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine to the world.

After India banned exports of hydroxychloroquine and other drugs on Saturday, PM Modi and Bolsonaro had spoken on the phone last Saturday. The two leaders discussed the situation across the globe in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Had a productive telephone conversation with President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro about how India and Brazil can join forces against the #COVID19 pandemic," PM Modi had tweeted.

Bolsonaro also tweeted in Portuguese about his discussion with Modi, saying he requested the latter for support in the continuity of the supply of pharmaceutical inputs for the production of hydroxychloroquine. "We will spare no effort to save lives," he said.

Recalling the participation of Bolsonaro as the chief guest at the 70th Republic Day celebrations this year, Modi expressed happiness at the growing vibrancy in the India-Brazil friendship.

Bolsonaro had followed up the conversation on Tuesday where the President expected the release of hydroxychloroquine to his country.

Brazil has over 14,000 cases and 127 deaths. On Wednesday morning, the number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 5,194, with 149 deaths, the Union Health Ministry announced. This is the biggest jump in both the number of cases and deaths.

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