New Delhi, June 23: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, presented the country’s stance during a high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS. India reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Harish shared insights on India’s efforts through its National AIDS and STD Control Program aimed at achieving this goal.
During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of equitable access to affordable medications, diagnostics, and new technologies. He also highlighted the need for flexibility under the TRIPS agreement to ensure access to life-saving medicines.
Representing India, P. Harish stated, “India aligns itself with the spirit of global solidarity reflected in the draft political declaration and welcomes efforts to achieve forward-thinking, action-oriented outcomes. As we approach the 2030 deadline, the global approach to tackling HIV is at a critical juncture. Despite significant progress over the past two decades, persistent inequalities, funding shortages, and emerging global challenges pose threats to these achievements. Therefore, we support the new commitment to recognize AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to maintain progress thereafter.”
He noted that at the national level, India is fully committed to this goal through the implementation of the National AIDS and STD Control Program, which is guided by evidence-based planning, community engagement, and integrated service delivery. Through continuous domestic investment, India has made substantial progress in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, while also increasing access to prevention, testing, treatment, care, and support services.
The Indian representative welcomed the emphasis on country-led strategies, sustainable financing, and the integration of HIV services into broader health systems and universal health coverage (UHC) frameworks.
He asserted that India believes that for long-term sustainability, efforts to combat HIV must be led by the respective countries, tailored to local epidemiological contexts, and supported by predictable financial assistance and robust health systems.
P. Harish emphasized, “India places great importance on eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis. We have initiated a triple elimination strategy for pregnant women, focusing on universal antenatal screening, timely treatment linkage, and follow-up for infected children. Therefore, we welcome the commitment to accelerate the elimination of AIDS in children and to end vertical transmission.”
He also expressed support for strengthening integrated responses to HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and other co-infections, believing that such approaches improve health outcomes and enhance program efficiency.
The Permanent Representative of India at the UN reiterated the importance of equitable access to affordable medications, diagnostics, and new technologies. Utilizing the flexibility available under the WTO TRIPS agreement is crucial, especially for developing countries, to ensure access to life-saving health products.
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