India called for countries that share pathogens and biological resources to receive timely access to resulting vaccines, diagnostics, treatments and technologies. Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava set out the position at a United Nations meeting on pandemic preparedness in New York on September 25.
The intervention focused on negotiations over the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system linked to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Srivastava said the political declaration should leave room for those negotiations and respect national circumstances, while arguing that equitable access would determine the agreement's credibility.
She also outlined India's efforts to expand laboratories, emergency coordination, medical staffing and stockpiles. Preparedness should be supported through national health systems and domestic financing, she said, with international assistance adding to that foundation. India further sought recognition of digital public infrastructure's role in surveillance, vaccination, communication and continuity of health services.