New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday informed that waiving of TRIPS proposed by India and South Africa has gathered support from several countries. Addressing a virtual media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "India and South Africa's proposal to WTO for relaxation in norms of agreement on TRIPS has gathered support from several countries". "Introduced last October, the proposal aims to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines by developing nations", he added.
Read:| PM Modi asks leaders of European Union to support TRIPS waiver
On Tuesday, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed with consensus to start text-based negotiations on a proposal submitted by India and South Africa about patent waivers to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. By July end, the members of WTO is expected to come to an agreed text.
In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted a proposal seeking a waiver for all WTO members on the implementations of certain provisions of the TRIPs agreement about treatment, containment and prevention of Covid-19. Moreover, in May this year, a few co-sponsors have submitted a revised proposal, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. Thereafter, in May itself, Joe-Biden led administration in America announced to support the waiving of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on vaccines.
Read:| India welcomes US' decision to support TRIPS waiver for Covid vaccines
The announcement to approve the waiving of patent protection rules on covid vaccines was made by the US's trade representative Katherine Tai. Tai had pointed out that the US fully understand and respect Intellectual Property protection but, given the pandemic, supports the waiving of the patent protection rules for COVID-19 vaccines. This decision came amid the second wave of the covid-19 havoc that continues to ravage India.
It is worth noting that during his recent phone call on 26 April 2021 with US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed the US President about India’s initiative at the WTO which was aimed at the benefit of humanity.
Read:| India appreciates Biden admin's decision to back TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
