Key Takeaways
- The Global Pandemic Agreement is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and effective global health governance system.
- India plays a crucial role in shaping the agreement and balancing national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity.
- The agreement's success will depend on the ability of countries like India to navigate the complex web of interests and priorities in global health governance.
Introduction to the Global Pandemic Agreement
The United Nations High Level Meeting (UN HLM) in New York in September 2026 saw India make official remarks on the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response (PPPR). The Declaration is part of the emerging global legal regime on pandemics led by the WHO-Pandemic agreement (PA).
The PA was adopted by 124 member-states in 2025, including India, with no country voting against it and 11 abstaining. The negotiations focused on balancing national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity, exposing fault lines between the Global North and the Global South.
Background and Timeline of the Pandemic Agreement
The concept of a global pandemic agreement has been in discussion for several years, with the World Health Organization (WHO) playing a key role in its development. The PA was adopted in 2025, marking a significant milestone in global health governance. However, the agreement is not yet open for ratification due to ongoing negotiations for an annex concerning the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.
Key Issues in the Pandemic Agreement
Key issues included whether a global treaty can set binding targets for measures such as ‘One Health’ without securing funding for countries with fragile health systems. Other issues included whether national pandemic regulations can be harmonised through global frameworks and whether private manufacturers can be required to share vaccines in real-time at affordable prices.
- Binding targets for ‘One Health’ measures
- Harmonisation of national pandemic regulations
- Sharing of vaccines by private manufacturers
Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System
The PA is not yet open for ratification due to ongoing negotiations for an annex concerning the PABS system. The PABS system could help ensure that Low-Income Countries (LICs) and Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) receive a fair share of vaccines, medicines, and other therapeutics during a pandemic.
Expert Perspective: India's Role in the Global Pandemic Agreement
According to Priyadarshini Singh, a Research Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), India's engagement in the Global Pandemic Agreement is crucial for balancing national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity. India's priorities include equitable access to drugs, vaccines, and therapeutics, as well as the creation of global public goods, such as digital infrastructure.
Implications for Readers in India
The Global Pandemic Agreement has significant implications for India, as the country plays a crucial role in global health governance. India's pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest in the world, and the country is a significant manufacturer of vaccines. However, India also faces challenges in accessing the latest technology from the Global North and in leading South-South Cooperation.
Options for India's Engagement
India can consider three options for engagement: developing partnerships on technical areas of the PA, leveraging its leadership role within existing global political groupings, and strengthening and aligning domestic policy and regulatory architecture around its priorities for the PA.
- Developing partnerships on technical areas of the PA
- Leveraging leadership role within global political groupings
- Strengthening and aligning domestic policy and regulatory architecture
Conclusion
An equitable global regime on PPPR is in India's interests as much as a responsibility towards the Global South. India needs an equitable global vaccine distribution regime, access to the latest technology from the Global North, and to lead South-South Cooperation and share its technological strength with other countries in the Global South.
As India continues to play a crucial role in the Global Pandemic Agreement, it is essential to monitor the developments and negotiations surrounding the PA. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for global health governance and India's position within it.
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What to Watch Next
The ongoing negotiations for the PABS system and the ratification of the PA will be crucial in determining the future of global health governance. India's engagement in these negotiations and its leadership role in global health governance will be essential in shaping the outcome.
Future Directions
The Global Pandemic Agreement is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and effective global health governance system. However, its success will depend on the ability of countries like India to balance national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity. As the negotiations for the PABS system and the ratification of the PA continue, it is essential to consider the implications of the agreement for global health governance and the role of India in shaping its outcome.
Global Health Governance and the Role of India
Global health governance is a complex and multifaceted issue, involving the coordination of multiple stakeholders and interests. The Global Pandemic Agreement is a significant step towards creating a more effective and equitable global health governance system, but its success will depend on the ability of countries like India to navigate the complex web of interests and priorities.
India's role in global health governance is critical, given its large population, significant pharmaceutical industry, and growing economic influence. As the country continues to engage with the Global Pandemic Agreement, it is essential to consider the implications of the agreement for India's position in global health governance and the potential opportunities and challenges that it presents.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the Global Pandemic Agreement is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and effective global health governance system. However, its success will depend on the ability of countries like India to balance national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity. As the negotiations for the PABS system and the ratification of the PA continue, it is essential to consider the implications of the agreement for global health governance and the role of India in shaping its outcome.
Based on the analysis presented in this article, several recommendations can be made for India's engagement with the Global Pandemic Agreement. Firstly, India should continue to prioritize equitable access to drugs, vaccines, and therapeutics, as well as the creation of global public goods, such as digital infrastructure. Secondly, India should leverage its leadership role within existing global political groupings to shape the outcome of the negotiations and ensure that the interests of the Global South are represented. Finally, India should strengthen and align its domestic policy and regulatory architecture around its priorities for the PA, to ensure that the country is well-positioned to navigate the complex web of interests and priorities in global health governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Pandemic Agreement?
The Global Pandemic Agreement is a global treaty aimed at preventing and responding to pandemics, led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is the role of India in the Global Pandemic Agreement?
India plays a crucial role in shaping the agreement and balancing national sovereignty with international cooperation and solidarity.
What are the key issues in the Global Pandemic Agreement?
Key issues include binding targets for ‘One Health’ measures, harmonisation of national pandemic regulations, and sharing of vaccines by private manufacturers.
