13/01/2026
Strengthening Health Diplomacy in the Global South
At the Winter Dialogue on RAISE – Responsible AI for Synergistic Excellence, official pre summit event of AI Impact Summit 2026, DAKSHIN–Global South Centre of Excellence was honoured to launch the 'Health Diplomacy Futures: Capacity Building in the Global South' report, prepared by DAKSHIN at Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and NIMS Institute of Public Health and Governance, NIMS University. The report was launched by Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, RIS, alongside Dr Monika Kochar, Advisor Health (DAKSHIN) and Dr Sanjay P., Professor and Director, NIMS Institute of Public Health and Governance, NIMS University.
Professor Sharma highlighted that today’s global health landscape is becoming increasingly complex with pandemics, climate change, geopolitical disruptions, and technological shifts which are redefining challenges and responses. He emphasized that health now intersects with foreign policy, security, trade, digital governance, and AI, making health diplomacy central to global governance. He also spoke about the RIS–University Connect initiative, which is building long-term partnerships between RIS and universities to support policy-relevant research and capacity building, and stressed the growing importance of AI and digital technologies in shaping future health governance.
Dr Kochar reflected on the report, noting that health diplomacy is now a core national capability. She stressed that outcomes from pandemic preparedness to digital health governance are increasingly shaped at negotiating tables. Presence without preparation limits influence; capacity building must span health, trade, law, and diplomacy, grounded in Global South realities and enriched by South–South learning. Her remarks highlighted India’s leadership in digital public goods and regional cooperation as practical examples of moving from participation to agenda-setting.
This report serves as a practical blueprint and a call to action, guiding training, partnerships, and institutional strengthening that empower Global South countries to engage confidently in global health governance.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Digital India PMO India
