TRIPS waiver caught in WTO labyrinth
Down To Earth|July 16, 2021
There is little change in the position of countries opposing the waiver, and the India-South Africa proposal is being made to go through the hoops at WTO
LATHA JISHNU
TRIPS waiver caught in WTO labyrinth

IF ONE went merely by what the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) claimed in mid-June, the waiver on the intellectual property rights (trips) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to cope with the dire covid-19 situation was very nearly in the bag. The likelihood of the waiver came through after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a video-linked address to a G7 summit in the UK. Apparently, there was “widespread support” among the G7 when Modi sought support for the India-South Africa proposal at WTO. Or, so said the official spokesperson.

Now the G7 comprises the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US, the very countries which are stoutly opposed to the proposal, three of these belonging to the European Union that has taken a rigid stance against the waiver. The only exception is the US which says it favors suspension of IP rights but has remained noticeably silent on how far it is willing to go.

The waiver proposal, first made at WTO in October 2020 and amended in May this year, seeks a limited suspension of trips to allow the production of life-saving therapies, vaccines, and equipment to meet the challenge of covid-19 without the fear of any reprisals from the owners of IP. If these countries were supporting the waiver it MEAnt the proposal would sail through at WTO. Sadly, it was just a clever spin put out by MEA and intended for Modi’s domestic constituency. The fact is that the G7 continues to stick to its guns on the issue as the official communiqué released subsequently by this group of rich nations revealed. There was no mention of the India- South Africa proposal at all.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView all
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024