India@76 in the global health landscape: Leadership, potential, and prudence

India, with its significant workforce and growing economy, has been steadily making its presence felt in the global health domain as well. The nation's commitment to health for all, its strong pharmaceutical manufacturing power, coupled with sustained investments in health infrastructure, education, and research, has positioned it as both a key market and an active participant in global health discussions. Over the years, India's approach to addressing health challenges, both within its borders and internationally, has highlighted its role in the global health ecosystem.

Over the years, India's approach to addressing health challenges, both within its borders and internationally, has highlighted its role in the global health ecosystem.

India’s G20 and SCO presidency 

2023 stands as a significant year in India's diplomatic and strategic journey, with the nation assuming leadership roles in both the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). These influential platforms amplified India's voice in the global arena, enabling it to chart the course of global health strategies and cultivate deeper international collaborations. A reflection of its emerging prominence on the global stage, India's presidency of these forums has not merely been symbolic. It provided a platform to articulate and influence collective health agendas, emphasising a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates traditional medical wisdom with modern healthcare practices. Under the aegis of the G20, India has taken proactive measures, orchestrating Health Working Group meetings across various cities, and showcasing its commitment to addressing international health goals, G20 commitments, and domestic health priorities. With the G20 constituting a significant portion of the global GDP, trade, and population, its potential impact on global health initiatives is colossal. India's initiatives, such as promoting ‘One Health’ and Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR), advocating for equal access to medical resources, and pushing for a global digital health initiative, echoed its leadership aspirations. Under its G20 presidency, India has suggested a medical countermeasure coordination platform, emphasising equity, standards for public welfare, and representation for the Global South, aiming to address future pandemic challenges, learning from the past.

It provided a platform to articulate and influence collective health agendas, emphasising a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates traditional medical wisdom with modern healthcare practices.

In parallel, through its SCO presidency, India further reinforced its commitment to a comprehensive approach to global health challenges, ensuring that the fusion of traditional and contemporary medical knowledge serves humanity at large. Through events, India has communicated the importance of robust surveillance systems, collaborative R&D, and medical countermeasures for achieving global health security. India has also focused on the importance of intertwining modern technological advances with traditional medicinal systems to offer a comprehensive healthcare approach. Another area of interest has been the potential of medical value travel and the significance of the holistic ‘One Health’ approach, which encompasses human well-being along with the broader ecological spectrum. This collaborative vision, which integrates traditional with contemporary and local with global, epitomises India's approach during its SCO as well as G20 presidencies, marking a stride towards fostering a healthier, unified global community.

India's vision for global health governance 

The contemporary global health landscape is fraught with challenges, many of which have been brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic. India, in response to these challenges, champions the cause of a more robust and coordinated international approach to health governance. Recognising the pivotal role played by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in orchestrating global health responses, India ardently supports initiatives aimed at fortifying this institution. The goal is to create a governance framework that is agile, able to pre-emptively address and adapt to looming health challenges and ensures that an inclusive WHO remains at the heart of global health endeavours.

India has also focused on the importance of intertwining modern technological advances with traditional medicinal systems to offer a comprehensive healthcare approach.

While India acknowledges the historic role of WHO in global health, it has also clearly articulated the necessity of reforms to render the organisation more effective in today's intricate health landscape. Key among these proposed reforms is the enhancement of the process for declaring Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC), ensuring it's not just robust but also efficient. Additionally, India’s approach underscored the importance of leveraging collaborations, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that global health responses are synergised and not siloed. This perspective is deeply rooted in India's broader vision of fostering effective multilateralism. For India, multilateralism in health is not just about navigating crises but shaping a healthier, more resilient global future, one where every nation has a voice and a role to play. India, in its commitment to global health, has actively participated in the processes for the establishment of both a Pandemic Treaty and a Pandemic Fund, of which the former is still being negotiated. These initiatives, as envisioned by India, must aim to bolster global readiness and response to potential health crises. India has also lent voice to some concerns around the treaty's implications on national sovereignty. Notably, during the pandemic, India, alongside South Africa, approached the World Trade Organisation seeking waivers on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on drugs and vaccines, further highlighting its dedication to equitable health access.

India’s approach underscored the importance of leveraging collaborations, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that global health responses are synergised and not siloed.

Pharmaceutical and technological prowess 

India's pharmaceutical sector, often dubbed the 'pharmacy of the world', has been a cornerstone in making essential medicines available and affordable globally. With a robust generics market, India has played a pivotal role in democratising access to life-saving drugs. The potential synergy between the tech and pharma sectors could pave the way for integrated healthcare solutions, bringing forth a new era of medical advancements. This reputation is further bolstered by the country's monumental contribution to various global vaccination initiatives as the largest supplier to United Nations agencies. The allocation of the first-ever malaria vaccine to African countries, a product to be manufactured predominantly by Indian giants like Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute of India, underscores India's pivotal role in combating global health challenges. The Indian pharmaceutical ecosystem, while vast and influential, has faced challenges. Episodes of drug contamination have underscored the importance of rigorous quality controls and transparent regulatory mechanisms. Ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products is paramount, and India recognises the gravity of maintaining global trust. Various steps have been taken by the authorities to streamline regulatory processes. However, addressing these challenges is not just about adhering to global standards but also about setting new benchmarks.

The allocation of the first-ever malaria vaccine to African countries, a product to be manufactured predominantly by Indian giants like Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute of India, underscores India's pivotal role in combating global health challenges.

The way forward 

India's trajectory in the global health landscape is filled with promise. The nation's actions, policies, and strategies have the potential to redefine global health paradigms. As India forges ahead, its focus on inclusive health solutions, emphasis on collaboration, and dedication to research and innovation position it as a beacon of hope in global health. However, the path forward is not without its challenges. It necessitates introspection, course correction, and continuous learning. India had its priorities very clearly articulated when PM Modi exhorted the pharmaceutical industry to ‘Ideate in India, Innovate in India, Make in India and Make for the World’. As India charts its global health aspirations, it must balance ambition with caution, ensuring that its rise is holistic, sustainable, and beneficial for all of humanity. The journey, while promising, is a marathon, not a sprint, and every step must be taken with foresight and deliberation.

---

Oommen C. Kurian is Senior Fellow and Head of the Health Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation. 

• Healthcare
• India
• challenges
• G20 Presidency
• global health leadership
• India@76
• innovation
• pharmaceutical prowess
• SCO role
• WHO engagement

The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.