India, May 21 -- The world now has its first pandemic treaty that will hopefully orient its preparedness and response to avoid a repeat of the suffering endured during the Covid-19 pandemic. Member-States of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the landmark agreement at the ongoing World Health Assembly at Geneva. The treaty's birth has certainly not been smooth. Mooted in 2021, the initial deadline of 2024 expired amid a sea of distrust between the global South and North and swirling misinformation - such as the WHO assuming sweeping powers over sovereign member-States on ordering vaccine mandates, lockdowns, etc, forcing the global health body to issue a denial. Even now, crucial pandemic management aspects will likely have to wa...