Subject: GS Paper II: International Relations
Context: At the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) in September 2026, India called for equitable access to vaccines, medicines and therapeutics, stronger health systems and respect for national sovereignty.
- India is also participating in negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) mechanism under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
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What is the WHO Pandemic Agreement?
The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a global framework aimed at strengthening international cooperation for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
- It was adopted in 2025 by 124 WHO Member States.
- No country voted against it, while 11 abstained.
- It seeks to address weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly unequal access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies.
- The Agreement is not yet open for ratification as negotiations on the PABS annex are still continuing.
Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS): PABS is intended to create a system in which:
- Countries and institutions share pathogen-related information and biological material.
- Benefits arising from such sharing, including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, are distributed more equitably.
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) receive fair access to pandemic-related products.
India’s Key Concerns and Position
India seeks to balance global solidarity with national sovereignty.
- Equitable Access: Ensure affordable and timely access to vaccines, medicines and therapeutics.
- Technology Transfer: Promote access to technologies from developed countries, particularly for vaccines, medical devices and PPEs.
- National Sovereignty: Countries should retain flexibility to frame pandemic policies according to their national circumstances.
- One Health: Strengthen coordination across human, animal and environmental health.
- Global Public Goods: Promote digital health infrastructure, laboratory networks and surveillance systems as global public goods.
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Why is the Agreement Important for India?
- India as a Global Pharmaceutical Hub
- India is one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers by volume.
- It has significant pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity but remains dependent on imports for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
- Equitable global vaccine access is therefore important for both public health and pharmaceutical security.
- Leadership in the Global South
- India can bridge differences between the Global North and Global South.
- It can promote South-South cooperation by sharing its expertise in digital health, laboratories and healthcare technologies.
- Domestic Preparedness
- A stronger global framework can reinforce India’s own pandemic surveillance, health infrastructure, laboratory networks and One Health systems.
Challenges
- Funding gap: Developing countries may face difficulties implementing ambitious pandemic-preparedness commitments.
- Technology access: Developed countries may resist binding technology-transfer provisions.
- Intellectual Property: Patents can limit affordable access to vaccines and therapeutics.
- Sovereignty concerns: Countries differ on the extent of international authority during pandemics.
- North-South divide: Unequal health capacities and financing continue to complicate global cooperation.
Way Forward
- Strengthen PABS negotiations to ensure equitable benefit-sharing.
- Build international partnerships in One Health, surveillance and health workforce development.
- Strengthen India’s domestic health and regulatory capacity.
- Promote technology transfer and South-South cooperation.
- Use platforms such as the G20 and other multilateral partnerships to build consensus on pandemic preparedness.
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Conclusion
India should use its pharmaceutical capacity, digital-health expertise and Global South leadership to shape an equitable pandemic regime. A successful Pandemic Agreement must combine global solidarity, technology access and equitable benefit-sharing with respect for national sovereignty.
News Source: The Hindu
8 Oct 2026
