India took part in the second meeting of the Supply Chain Council (SCC) in its capacity as vice-chair, with Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary from the Department of Commerce, representing the country.
During the meeting, the United States, serving as Chair of the SCC, emphasized the considerable achievements made since their previous gathering in September 2024. The Chair also provided an update regarding the APT (Action Plan on Trade) focusing on Chemicals. This update detailed ongoing initiatives to enhance chemical trade and diversify supply sources through various workstreams, while also strengthening international business matchmaking efforts.
During the meeting, progress updates were presented on the Action Plan Teams focusing on Critical Minerals, Semiconductors, and Pharmaceutical/Healthcare sectors. These updates highlighted collaborative efforts and the development of practical strategies to tackle supply chain challenges across these crucial industries.
The head of the Sub-committee on Logistics and Movement of Goods delivered a report on their progress, particularly noting the establishment of technical standards for cold chain logistics. They emphasized the crucial role of regulatory transparency and the importance of actively engaging with stakeholders in the process.
The Sub-committee on Data and Analytics’ leadership expressed positive feedback regarding the ongoing consultations, noting strong alignment among partners on supply chain resilience objectives. They particularly highlighted growing interest in developing monitoring systems and strengthening data analysis capabilities.
In its role as Vice Chair, India commended the ongoing initiatives and expressed optimism about achieving concrete results in the coming months. Furthermore, India put forward a proposal to host the next in-person Supply Chain Council meeting in early 2026.
The meeting concluded with status reports on two key initiatives: the Crisis Response Network and the Labor Rights Advisory Board, which was established under the Pillar II Agreement. These updates reinforced the members’ shared dedication to strengthening supply chain resilience through collaborative action.
Providing historical context, the inaugural Supply Chain Council meeting, held in Washington in September 2024, resulted in the creation of Action Plan Teams (APTs) focused on six strategic sectors. These included Semiconductors under U.S. leadership, Critical Minerals led by Australia, Chemicals under U.S. direction, and the Pharmaceutical/Healthcare sector headed by India. Additionally, two Sub-Committees were formed: one focusing on Logistics and Movement of Goods under New Zealand’s leadership, and another on Data and Analytics led by Singapore.
Within the six key areas identified by the Council, India places significant emphasis on the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector as a critical component for establishing resilient supply chains. This focus is particularly relevant given the sector’s vital importance. The Action Plan Team’s collaborative framework shows promise in addressing vulnerabilities related to import dependency for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and medical devices.
These collaborative initiatives are expected to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities through multiple channels, including the exchange of best practices, technical expertise, technology transfer, and workforce development through up-skilling and re-skilling programs. These efforts aim to strengthen the resilience of pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chains.
India’s position as a global health leader is demonstrated by several achievements, notably the development of the world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19. The country has established itself as a prominent hub for producing affordable, high-quality medicines, achieving remarkable rankings as the third-largest pharmaceutical producer by volume and fourteenth by value globally.
The timing is particularly significant as India has been appointed as the Chair for the Action Plan Team on Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Currently, the APT on Pharma/Healthcare under India’s leadership includes Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand as participating members.
Background: The Supply Chain Council emerged as a key institution under the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement within IPEF, with a focused mission to strengthen critical supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. This region holds substantial economic significance, representing approximately 40% of global GDP and 28% of worldwide trade in goods and services. The Council’s work specifically targets sectors and goods that are fundamental to national security, public health, and economic prosperity.
In November 2023, India took a significant step by signing the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) as part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a strategic alliance comprising 14 member nations in the region. This agreement, which became operational on February 24, 2024, was designed to reinforce supply chains that are vital for national security and economic stability. Under the organizational structure established by the agreement, the Supply Chain Council was formed with a leadership arrangement that positioned the United States as Chair and India as Vice Chair.
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