Skip to main content
EU declines to back vaccine patent waiver in talks with India
An arial view of an under construction COVID-19 hospital that is being erected at Ramleela Maidan, one of Delhi's open grounds in New Delhi, India

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.

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Burnt cars remain in the middle of a street following the re
Features / 22 March 2025
22 March 2025
Ben Chacko asks NIZAR TRABULSI of the now banned Syrian Communist Party (Unified) to explain the country's turbulent, and violent, post-Assad scene
Delegates chat as they leave the Great Hall of the People af
Features / 22 March 2025
22 March 2025
From renewable tech to alternatives to the dollar, BEN CHACKO was encouraged by an optimistic meeting held by the China Media Group this week
Similar stories
Modi and Leyen 28.2.2025
World / 28 February 2025
28 February 2025
p1
Opinion / 25 April 2024
25 April 2024
ARKA BHADURI surveys the ongoing election's political panorama