Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s support for the initiative taken at the WTO by India and South Africa to push through the proposal for a temporary patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines in order to enhance production of doses amid the acute shortage worldwide.

PM Modi said on Twitter that he had spoken to the Australian Prime Minister on telephone and the two countries agreed on the need to ensure affordable and equitable access to vaccines and medicines amongst nations for containing COVID globally. Currently the poor countries have access to less than 1% of the vaccines.

The Indian prime minister also conveyed his appreciation for the prompt and generous support extended by the government and people of Australia for India’s fight against the second  second wave of COVID-19.

The two leaders took note of the progress made in the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership since the virtual summit held on 4 June 2020 and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation and foster people-to-people ties.

The prime ministers also discussed regional issues and reiterated the importance of working together for a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.