Over 100 US Lawmakers Urge Prez Biden To Support India, South Africa On TRIPS Waiver Issue In Fight Against COVID-19

At least 108 lawmakers from the United States (US)' Congress have written to President Joseph Biden urging him to support India and South Africa's push towards securing a temporary waiver of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for Covid-19 vaccines, therapeutics and related technologies, reports Hindustan Times.

In their letter, lawmakers have pressed, "This waiver is vital to ensuring sufficient volume of and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines and therapeutics around the world." Those who have signed the letter include Brad Sherman who heads the India caucus in the US. It has also been signed by Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

India and South Africa had pushed a proposal in this regard at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in October last year and are said to be preparing for a fresh push for the TRIPS waiver. The diplomats from the two countries are working on revising the text of the proposal. The fresh proposal is expected to be presented at the TWO in the next two weeks.

It should be noted though that the success of the move will largely depend on the position adopted by the US and other developed nations at the WTO.