Trudeau calls Modi, seeks Covid-19 vaccines made in India for Canada

Online Desk:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had voiced concern over farmers’ protests in India, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday and sought Covid-19 vaccine made in India for his country.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau informed Prime Minister Modi about Canada’s requirements of Covid-19 vaccines from India,” reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting a statement issued by the Indian PM’s office late last night.

The Indian Prime Minister assured his Canadian counterpart that “India would do its best to support Canada’s vaccination efforts, just as it had done for many other countries already,” the statement added.

Expressing his appreciation, Trudeau said “if the world managed to conquer Covid-19, it would be significantly because of India’s tremendous pharmaceutical capacity and Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in sharing this capacity with the world,” the statement included, adding that Modi thanked Trudeau for his sentiments.

The two leaders also reiterated the common perspective shared by India and Canada on many important geopolitical issues and agreed to continue the close collaboration between the two countries in fighting global challenges like climate change and the economic impacts of the pandemic.

The telephonic talk between the two PMs came nearly two months after Trudeau had spoken out on the farmers’ protests. Shortly after, New Delhi had summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to India and warned that such “actions”, if they continue, will have a “seriously damaging impact” on bilateral ties.

In December last year, Trudeau had said, “I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends…..Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue.”