UPSC Exam: India’s Global Health Commitment at UN High-Level Pandemic Meet

26 Sep UPSC Exam: India’s Global Health Commitment at UN High-Level Pandemic Meet

✎ The operationalisation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism is pivotal for ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures and strengthening global pandemic preparedness.

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — International Relations: Global Health Governance, WHO, UN System  |  GS Paper III — Science and Technology: Health Technologies, Digital Public Infrastructure  |  GS Paper III — Disaster Management: Pandemic Preparedness and Response
• Prelims: Pandemic Treaty (WHO CA+), One Health Approach, Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS), Global South Solidarity, Digital Public Goods
• Essay: Global Health Security: Challenges and Collaborative Solutions, Equity in Global Health: Bridging the Divide Between Nations

Quick Revision: The operationalisation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism is pivotal for ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures and strengthening global pandemic preparedness.

Why is this in the news?

On 25 September 2026, the Union Health Secretary, Ms. Punita Salila Shrivastava, represented India at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response in New York. She underscored India’s commitment to strengthening global health security through multilateral cooperation, equitable access to health products, and the operationalisation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism. The address highlighted India’s role in pandemic response during COVID-19, its advocacy for digital public infrastructure as a global public good, and the principles of the ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision.

Background

• The COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2023) exposed systemic gaps in global pandemic preparedness, including inequitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, and the need for robust international cooperation.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated negotiations for a Pandemic Agreement in December 2021, aiming to create a legally binding framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, including provisions for equitable access to medical countermeasures.
• The concept of ‘One Health’ integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• India’s role in global health diplomacy has evolved significantly, with initiatives like ‘Vaccine Maitri’ during COVID-19, where over 30 crore vaccine doses were supplied to 100 countries, and medical aid extended to 150+ nations.

Key Concepts and Frameworks in Global Pandemic Preparedness

• **WHO Pandemic Agreement** — An international treaty adopted in May 2025 to strengthen global pandemic preparedness and response, including provisions for equitable access to medical countermeasures, pathogen sharing, and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) — A critical component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, ensuring that countries contributing pathogens and biological resources receive timely and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, and technologies developed using those resources.
• One Health Approach — An integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It addresses shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface, such as zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — Digital systems (e.g., CoWIN, Aarogya Setu) that enable real-time surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination, and health service continuity during pandemics. Recognised as global public goods, DPIs enhance equity and efficiency in pandemic response.
• Global Health Security (GHS) — A framework to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats that endanger people worldwide. It relies on international cooperation, robust health systems, and equitable access to medical countermeasures.
• Equitable Access to Health Products — Ensuring fair distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to mitigate disparities in pandemic outcomes.
• Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR) — A multi-sectoral approach involving surveillance, early warning systems, stockpiling of essential supplies, workforce training, and resilient health systems to mitigate the impact of pandemics.
• Global South Solidarity — A principle advocating for collaborative efforts among developing nations to address shared challenges, such as pandemic preparedness, through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and mutual support.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
Global Pandemic Preparedness Framework	Establishes a coordinated international response to mitigate the impact of future pandemics through shared resources and strategies.
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Mechanism	Ensures equitable distribution of pathogens and derived benefits, including vaccines and diagnostics, to all nations, particularly those contributing biological resources.
Digital Public Infrastructure for Health	Facilitates real-time surveillance, vaccination tracking, and supply chain management during health emergencies, enhancing response efficiency.
Vaccine Diplomacy and Medical Assistance	Demonstrates India’s commitment to global solidarity by providing vaccines and medical aid to over 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Health System Strengthening	Focuses on expanding laboratory networks, emergency coordination, health workforce capacity, and diagnostic care to build resilient health systems.

Why it Matters

Global Health Governance

• Reinforces the principle of ‘One Earth, One Health’ by advocating for collective action and shared responsibility in pandemic preparedness and response.
• Highlights the need for a legally binding international agreement (WHO Pandemic Agreement) to ensure accountability and equity in global health security.
• Emphasizes the role of the United Nations in coordinating multilateral efforts to address health emergencies across borders.

Equity and Justice in Health

• Calls for fair access to essential health products, including vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.
• Stresses the importance of recognizing contributions of resource-rich nations in pandemic response through equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms.
• Advocates for the inclusion of Global South perspectives in global health policy formulation and implementation.

Technological and Institutional Capacity

• Showcases India’s digital public infrastructure as a model for scalable, real-time health data management during crises.
• Underscores the necessity of institutional capacity-building, including laboratory networks and emergency response systems, to handle diverse health threats.
• Demonstrates the integration of domestic financing and development plans with international cooperation to sustain health system resilience.

Diplomatic and Soft Power Dimensions

• Illustrates India’s role as a responsible global actor through vaccine diplomacy and medical assistance, reinforcing its commitment to multilateralism.
• Positions India as a leader in advocating for equitable global health governance, aligning with its historical role in the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation.
• Highlights the intersection of health diplomacy with broader foreign policy objectives, including strengthening partnerships with developing nations.

Challenges

1. Equitable Access to Health Products

• Ensuring timely and fair distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments to all countries, especially those with limited manufacturing capacity.
• Addressing intellectual property barriers that may restrict access to critical health technologies during pandemics.
• Balancing national priorities with global solidarity to prevent hoarding or export restrictions on essential medical supplies.

UPSC Link: GS2: International Organisations

2. Implementation of Global Agreements

• Translating the WHO Pandemic Agreement into actionable policies at the national level while respecting sovereign priorities.
• Ensuring compliance with international standards without compromising domestic health system autonomy.
• Overcoming political and bureaucratic hurdles in ratifying and enforcing multilateral health agreements.

UPSC Link: GS2: Health & International Relations

3. Digital Divide and Infrastructure Gaps

• Addressing disparities in digital public infrastructure across countries to enable real-time health data sharing and surveillance.
• Investing in resilient digital systems that can withstand disruptions during crises, including cybersecurity threats.
• Ensuring that digital solutions are inclusive and accessible to marginalized populations, including rural and low-income groups.

UPSC Link: GS3: Science & Technology

4. Sustainable Financing for Health Systems

• Securing long-term funding for pandemic preparedness and response, including investments in health workforce, laboratories, and emergency response systems.
• Avoiding over-reliance on external aid by strengthening domestic resource mobilization and public-private partnerships.
• Ensuring that health financing mechanisms are transparent and accountable to prevent misuse or inefficiencies.

UPSC Link: GS2: Health & Governance

5. Balancing National and Global Priorities

• Aligning domestic health policies with international commitments without compromising national security or sovereignty.
• Managing expectations between developed and developing nations regarding resource contributions and benefit-sharing.
• Preventing the politicization of global health initiatives while maintaining diplomatic flexibility.

UPSC Link: GS2: International Relations

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Patent and IPR Barriers	Restrict access to vaccines and treatments, particularly for low-income countries.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities	Disruptions in the production and distribution of medical supplies during crises.
Data Privacy and Security	Risks associated with digital health surveillance and data sharing.
Political Will and Commitment	Lack of sustained political support for global health agreements and funding.
Technological Inequality	Uneven access to digital tools and infrastructure across nations.
Equity in Benefit Sharing	Ensuring fair distribution of benefits derived from pathogen sharing.

Way Forward

• Strengthen domestic health systems through sustained investment in laboratories, emergency response, and health workforce capacity.
• Advocate for the ratification and implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement with a focus on equitable pathogen access and benefit-sharing.
• Develop and scale digital public infrastructure for real-time health data management, surveillance, and service delivery.
• Enhance vaccine diplomacy and medical assistance programs to support Global South nations in pandemic preparedness.
• Promote international collaboration on research and development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments to address global health threats.
• Establish transparent and accountable financing mechanisms for pandemic preparedness, including domestic resource mobilization.
• Ensure inclusive and equitable access to digital health solutions, particularly for marginalized and rural populations.
• Conduct regular simulations and drills to test national and global pandemic response systems and identify gaps.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the WHO Pandemic Agreement:
1. It aims to strengthen global pandemic preparedness and response through legally binding provisions.
2. The agreement includes provisions for Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) to ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
3. India has not ratified the WHO Pandemic Agreement as of September 2026.
4. The agreement emphasizes the role of digital public infrastructure in pandemic response.
How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct as the WHO Pandemic Agreement is designed to strengthen global pandemic preparedness through legally binding provisions, includes PABS for equitable access, and emphasizes digital public infrastructure. Statement 3 is incorrect as India has actively participated in the agreement’s negotiations and reiterated its commitment in the UN high-level meeting.

Q2. Assertion (A): The ‘One Health’ approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address health threats at their source.
Reason (R): The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for a holistic approach to health security, including zoonotic disease surveillance and ecosystem protection.
Options:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: ? — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The ‘One Health’ approach is a holistic framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, which the COVID-19 pandemic underscored.

Q3. Match the following initiatives with their respective objectives:
Column I (Initiative) Column II (Objective)
A. COVAX Facility 1. Equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines
B. International Health Regulations (IHR) 2. Framework for global health security and pandemic response
C. Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) 3. Fair distribution of benefits from pathogen sharing
D. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) 4. Use of digital tools for pandemic surveillance and response
Options:
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

Answer: ? — The correct matching is: A (COVAX Facility) with 1 (Equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines), B (International Health Regulations) with 2 (Framework for global health security and pandemic response), C (Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing) with 3 (Fair distribution of benefits from pathogen sharing), and D (Digital Public Infrastructure) with 4 (Use of digital tools for pandemic surveillance and response).

Mains Practice Question

✍ Critically examine India’s stance on global pandemic preparedness as articulated in the recent UN high-level meeting. How does India’s approach align with the principles of equity, solidarity, and technological innovation in addressing future pandemics? (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:
1. **India’s Commitment to Global Health Security**:
– Reiteration of commitment to pandemic preparedness and response in the UN high-level meeting (September 2026).
– Emphasis on the ‘One Earth, One Health’ principle and solidarity with the Global South.
– Reference to India’s vaccine diplomacy during COVID-19 (30 crore doses to 100 countries, medical aid to 150+ countries).

2. **Equity and Fair Benefit Sharing**:
– Advocacy for Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) under the WHO Pandemic Agreement to ensure fair access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
– Opposition to unilateral access to pathogen samples; support for a multilateral, transparent system.
– Alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.

3. **Technological Innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)**:
– Recognition of DPI as a global public good for pandemic surveillance, vaccination, and risk communication.
– India’s role in developing and deploying digital solutions (e.g., Co-WIN platform) during COVID-19.
– Advocacy for DPI to be standardized and accessible across nations.

4. **Institutional and Systemic Strengthening**:
– Expansion of laboratory networks, emergency coordination mechanisms, and health workforce capacity.
– Domestic financing as the primary source of pandemic preparedness, with international support as a supplement.
– Alignment with International Health Regulations (IHR) and WHO’s pandemic preparedness frameworks.

5. **Challenges and Critiques**:
– Implementation gaps in equitable access despite commitments (e.g., vaccine nationalism, supply chain bottlenecks).
– Need for stronger global governance mechanisms to enforce PABS and prevent exploitation of Global South resources.
– Balancing national sovereignty with global health equity in pathogen sharing.

6. **Conclusion**:
– India’s approach reflects a pragmatic balance between national preparedness and global solidarity.
– Future steps: Strengthening multilateral frameworks, investing in DPI, and ensuring inclusive global health governance.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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