(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte communicated by phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi where the two Asian leaders strengthened their cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.
During their conversation, Prime Minister Modi “assured the supply of affordable medicines and COVID-19 pharmaceutical products to the Philippines, including Hydroxycholoroquine,” according to a Malacanang statement on the conversation of the two leaders.
“Prime Minister Modi likewise said that India is ready to extend all possible cooperation to the Philippines and that the Philippines will definitely benefit from the vaccine that India is developing,” the Palace statement read.
Malacanang said that President Duterte and Prime Minister Modi had their “engaging and productive telephone conversation” on Monday evening, June 9.
The Philippines and India are “partner countries with key roles to play in the Indo-Pacific region.”
During the phone conversation that lasted for 25 minutes, the two leaders also “reaffirmed their shared commitment to harness international and bilateral cooperation to effectively address the coronavirus pandemic.”
-India lauded for leading in the production of affordable medicines-
President Duterte, who was at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City, said he recognized India’s leading role as global producer and source of affordable and accessible medicine.
He also commended Prime Minister Modi for allowing the export of pharmaceutical products from India.
He also noted India’s efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
President Duterte also lauded India’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and noted the country’s 2.82 percent fatality rate which is among the lowest in the world.
-Sharing lessons, best practices amid pandemic-
“Prime Minister Modi likewise congratulated the President for his leadership” noting how the Philippine government managed the COVID-19 situation in the country, Malacanang said.
The two leaders also said they would share valuable lessons and best practices in addressing COVID-19.
Both Duterte and Modi also expressed their appreciation for the mutual assistance extended by both countries in the repatriation of Filipino and Indian nationals affected by the COVID-19 lockdown measures.
President Duterte also asked India to support the ASEAN Response Fund for COVID-19.
Malacanang said that the phone conversation requested by the Indian Government resulted in the stronger cooperation of the two countries amid the COVID-19 crisis.
(Eagle News Service)