PM makes global health pitch at G7
World leaders unveil plan at G7 summit to counter China, chalk out historic deal to tackle future diseases with more swiftness
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the G7 states to adopt a united approach to the coronavirus pandemic and future health emergencies with the mantra of “One earth, one health”, amid support for India’s proposal for a waiver of patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines.
Modi made the pitch for a coordinated global response while virtually addressing an outreach session of the G7 Summit in Cornwall, the theme for which was “Building back stronger”, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.
He pointed to the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies to prevent future pandemics, and said there should be “One earth, one health” approach. This was echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the people said.
Modi highlighted India’s approach to counter the pandemic that synergised efforts of government, industry and civil society. He said India is willing to share its expertise with others.
While expressing India’s commitment to collective efforts to enhance global health governance, Modi sought the support of G7 states for the proposal by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a waiver of patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, also a special invitee to the session, and others supported the proposal for patent waivers.
New Delhi’s emphasis on keeping open supply chains to help boost vaccine production received widespread support, the people said. French President Emmanuel Macron said countries such as India should be provided adequate components to ensure the mass production of doses.
CARBIS BAY, UK: The G7 on Saturday unveiled US-led plans to counter China in infrastructure funding for poorer nations, and a new accord to prevent future pandemics, as the elite group sought to showcase Western unity at its first in-person summit since 2019.
Promising to “collectively catalyse” hundreds of billions of infrastructure investment for low and middle-income countries, the G7 leaders said they would offer a “valuesdriven, high-standard and transparent” partnership.
Their “Build Back Better World” (B3W) project is aimed squarely at competing with China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative”.
The White House said US President Joe Biden and fellow leaders addressed “strategic competition” with Beijing on the second day of their threeday summit in Carbis Bay.
Britain, meanwhile, hailed G7 agreement on the “Carbis Bay Declaration” - a series of commitments to curb future pandemics after Covid-19 wrecked economies and claimed millions of lives around the world. The steps include slashing the time taken to develop and license vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for future disease to under 100 days.
The G7 - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US - will publish the pact on Sunday, alongside its final communique containing further details on the B3W.
“The #CarbisBayDeclaration marks a proud and historic moment for us all,” British PM Boris Johnson tweeted.
“The world’s leading democracies will commit to preventing a pandemic from happening again, ensuring the devastation caused by Covid-19 is never repeated.”
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the health pact, saying the UN agency will examine a British proposal to create a “Global Pandemic Radar” to send early warnings of future outbreaks.
Boris warns EU over post-Brexit trade
Britain will do “whatever it takes” to protect its territorial integrity in a trade dispute with the EU, Johnson said, threatening emergency measures if no solution was found.
The threat seemed to break a temporary truce in a war of words over part of the Brexit deal that covers border issues with Northern Ireland, the focus for tensions since Britain left the EU last year.