THE European Union refused to support waiving vaccine patents in talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the weekend, despite pledging “support and solidarity” for the country as it grapples with a devastating new wave of Covid-19.

Coronavirus cases are still rising at record rates across India, with 403,738 new cases and 4,092 deaths reported today.

New Delhi says it has opened vaccination to all adults in the hope of controlling the surge — but the pace of inoculation has actually slowed, with many state governments saying they are running short. About 10 per cent of India’s 1.4 billion people have received one shot, and under 2.5 per cent have had their second jab.