Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the G7 virtual summit in Cornwall hosted by United Kingdom from June 11-13, and called for following a one earth, one health approach to effectively deal with the coronavirus pandemic globally, and sought the support of the G7 grouping to lift patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines, during a virtual address at an outreach session of a summit of the bloc.  

The Group of Seven (G7) comprises the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

As chair of G7 summit, the UK invited India, Australia, South Korea, South Africa to the summit as guest countries.

PM Modi sought the G7’s support for the proposal moved at the WTO by India and South Africa, for a TRIPS (The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) waiver on COVID related technologies.

Over 2 lakh people died in India of Covid between January and May, during which the country faced an unprecedented crisis of resource shortage. The country received aid, including oxygen cylinders and regulators, from several countries like the US and Canada.    

PM Modi’s call to keep open supply chains for vaccine raw materials and components to help enhance vaccine production in countries like India received widespread support, the statement said.

The session, titled “Building Back Stronger – Health”, focused on global recovery and strengthening the resilience against future pandemics.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s whole of society approach to fighting COVID-19, which involved synergising the efforts of the government, industry, and civil society. He also conveyed India’s willingness to share its experience and expertise with other developing countries.

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Calling for global unity, leadership, and solidarity to prevent future pandemics, he emphasized the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies. Chancellor Angela Merkel specifically referred to PM’s mantra and conveyed strong support.

India was invited to the 2019 summit, too, as a goodwill partner.

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