Permanent Mission of India
New York
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2026 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
22 June 2026

President,

India aligns itself with the spirit of global solidarity reflected in the draft Political Declaration and welcomes the efforts undertaken to forge consensus on a forward looking and action-oriented outcome.

As we approach the 2030 deadline, the global HIV response stands at a critical juncture. While remarkable progress has been achieved over the past two decades, persistent inequalities, financing constraints, and emerging global challenges continue to threaten these gains. We therefore support the Declaration’s renewed commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sustaining progress beyond.

At the national level, India remains firmly committed to this goal through the implementation of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme, which is guided by evidence-based planning, community engagement, and integrated service delivery. Through sustained domestic investments, India has achieved significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortality while expanding access to prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services.

India particularly welcomes the emphasis on country ownership, sustainable financing, and integration of HIV services within broader health systems and universal health coverage frameworks. For long-term sustainability, national responses must be led by countries, must be aligned with local epidemiology, and supported by predictable financing and strengthened health systems.

President,

India attaches high importance to eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis. We have initiated a Triple Elimination Strategy for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B among pregnant women, based on universal antenatal screening, timely linkage to treatment, and follow-up of exposed infants. We therefore welcome the Declaration’s commitment to ending paediatric AIDS and accelerating the elimination of vertical transmission.

We also support the emphasis on strengthening integrated responses to HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and other co-infections, recognizing that such approaches improve health outcomes and enhance programme efficiency.

India further underscores the importance of equitable access to affordable medicines, diagnostics and emerging technologies. The use of the flexibilities available under the WTO TRIPS Agreement remains critical for ensuring access to life-saving health products, particularly for developing countries.

Finally, India recognizes the valuable contribution of communities and civil society partners in strengthening HIV responses and supports meaningful stakeholder engagement consistent with national contexts and priorities.

President,

India remains committed to working with Member States, UNAIDS, and all partners to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, while ensuring that the response remains people-centred, sustainable, equitable, and nationally owned.

Thank you, President.