Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda on Monday, 18 May reaffirmed India's continued support to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pledging to deepen the partnership and advance global health outcomes. The commitment came after Nadda met Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland.

What Nadda Said

'Appreciate DG WHO's warm welcome and recognition of India's transformation in the health sector through initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs,' Nadda wrote on X. 'Reaffirmed continuation of India's support to the WHO for strengthening our partnership and advancing global health outcomes for all,' he added.

India's Presence at the 79th WHA

Nadda arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to attend the assembly, which runs from 18 May to 23 May. The WHA is the supreme decision-making body of the WHO, attended by delegations from all member states. Its core functions include setting organisational policy, appointing the Director-General, overseeing financial governance, and approving the programme budget.

This Year's Theme and Agenda

The 79th World Health Assembly is organised around the theme 'Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility', which underscores the need for collective action on pressing global health challenges. The assembly has drawn health ministers, dignitaries, and public health experts from more than 165 countries. According to the WHO, a series of strategic roundtables will be held during the session, bringing together WHA delegates, partner agencies, civil society representatives, and WHO experts to discuss current and future public health priorities of global importance.

Why India's Reaffirmation Matters

India's explicit endorsement of the WHO comes at a time when the organisation faces financial and geopolitical headwinds, including reduced contributions from certain major donor nations. New Delhi's backing — underscored by showcasing flagship digital health programmes such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — signals its intent to position itself as a responsible global health stakeholder. Notably, India's health infrastructure push, including the rollout of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, has drawn international attention as a scalable primary-care model for low- and middle-income countries. The WHA meeting is expected to set priorities that will shape WHO's programmatic direction through the next budget cycle, making India's alignment with the body strategically significant.

What Comes Next

The assembly continues through 23 May, with member states expected to deliberate on resolutions covering pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and universal health coverage. India's engagement at the sidelines — including the bilateral with the DG — is likely to inform future technical and financial cooperation frameworks between New Delhi and Geneva.