Lessons from COVID-19 have reshaped global health governance. Evaluate the role India can play in bridging Global North–South divides in pandemic preparedness.

During COVID-19, vaccines, medicines and tests went first to rich countries. The world's answer was the WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted on 20 May 2025. In committee it won 124 votes in favour, none against and 11 abstentions [1]. India both shares pathogen samples and makes vaccines at scale. That gives it a strong position to bridge North and South, but its role has real limits.

How COVID-19 lessons reshaped governance

• Equity built into the treaty: the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system links sharing pathogen samples and genetic data to fair access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics [2].
• 20% rule: during a pandemic, participating manufacturers must give WHO 20% of their current output, at least 10% of it as a donation (Art. 12.6) [2].
• Sovereignty protected: Art. 22.2 says WHO cannot order lockdowns, vaccine mandates or travel bans [2].

India's bridging strengths

• Dual identity: India gains from strong benefit-sharing and also needs terms that manufacturers can work with. This lets it speak credibly to both camps.
• Treaty fit: Art. 10 supports spreading vaccine production across regions. Art. 12.5(f) requires PABS to help manufacture and export [2]. Both suit India's generic-drug and vaccine industry.
• Proven model: India can push the PIP Framework (2011) for PABS. PIP uses standard contracts (SMTA2) to link sharing of flu viruses with access to vaccines [3].
• Live negotiating forum: PABS talks continue in the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). Its 8th meeting ended in September 2026 [4]. This is where India can build a Global South coalition.

Limits on India's role

• Weak wording: technology transfer happens only "as mutually agreed". TRIPS flexibilities are reaffirmed but not expanded (Art. 11.4) [2]. India cannot force patent holders in the North to share.
• Conflicting interests: Indian firms that join PABS must also give 20% of their output to WHO. That limits how far they can supply India first [2].
• Weak funding and enforcement: duties apply "subject to the availability of resources", and the compliance body cannot impose penalties [2].
• Delay: the treaty opens for signature only after the PABS annex is adopted. It then needs 60 ratifications to enter into force (Arts. 31, 33) [2].

Overall, India can broker agreement between North and South, but it cannot enforce anything. It should push for a standard PABS contract that fixes "affordable prices" before any outbreak. It should also make PABS terms a condition for manufacturers who use the shared data. Together, these steps would help turn the Agreement's promise of equity into actual delivery, advancing SDG 3 and India's ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ("the world is one family").