India’s Push for Equity in the WHO Pandemic Treaty: The PABS Framework

The PABS system, as envisioned by India, would mandate that a specific percentage of pandemic-related products be reserved for the WHO to distribute to developing countries at affordable prices or as donations. This seeks to institutionalize equity, moving away from the ad-hoc, voluntary charity models that proved insufficient during the 2020-2022 crisis. India has also emphasized the need for a system that does not compromise the sovereign rights of nations over their biological resources. Furthermore, India’s stance reflects a broader push for "Health Sovereignty." By demanding a legally binding mechanism, India is challenging the dominance of the Global North’s pharmaceutical giants and advocating for a more democratic global health architecture. This includes provisions for technology transfer and the potential waiving of intellectual property rights during health emergencies to boost local manufacturing capacities in the Global South. UPSC Relevance: This development is highly relevant for GS Paper II under 'Important International Institutions' and 'Issues relating to Health.' It provides a concrete example of India’s role in shaping global governance and its leadership of the Global South. Aspirants can use this to discuss the challenges of international cooperation, the ethics of global health equity, and the intersection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) with public health in Mains answers.