India has called for a more equitable framework for sharing the benefits of vaccines, diagnostics, medicines, and technologies developed from pathogens and biological resources contributed during health emergencies. Speaking at a UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York, India emphasized that the credibility of the WHO Pandemic Agreement would depend in part on an effective Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) mechanism. The proposed system is intended to ensure that countries providing pathogens for research and development can also access products and technologies derived from those resources.

India's health secretary said countries contributing pathogens should receive the resulting benefits while retaining national sovereignty over their biological resources. The country also stressed that ongoing PABS negotiations should not be…