[Answered] What are the key challenges India faces in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and how can lessons from its COVID-19 response be applied to address these challenges?

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed concerns about the slowing progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under India’s G20 Presidency. India’s success in achieving SDGs is crucial due to its large population size and projected economic growth.

What are the key challenges India faces in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030?

• Uneven Progress: India has made progress in some areas, but there are disparities across districts. While certain indicators, such as neonatal and under-five mortality, improved sanitation, and electricity access, are on track at the national level, many districts still lag.
• Inadequate Pace of Improvement: For several SDG indicators, the current pace of improvement is insufficient to meet the targets. Issues such as clean cooking fuel, improved water, and handwashing facilities, and women’s well-being require accelerated progress.
• Gender Inequality: India struggles with gender inequality, particularly concerning indicators like girl-child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and partner violence. The prevalence of child marriage remains high, and achieving the SDG target by 2030 seems unlikely in most districts.
• Environmental Sustainability: India faces significant challenges in achieving environmental sustainability goals. Factors such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and inadequate waste management contribute to the degradation of natural resources and pose obstacles to achieving SDGs related to climate action and environmental preservation.

How can lessons from its COVID-19 response be applied to address these challenges?

• Strong Political Leadership: India’s successful COVID-19 response was driven by strong political leadership and a responsive administrative structure. Similar leadership is needed to achieve SDGs, with a focus on district-level implementation and course corrections when necessary.
• Digital Infrastructure: India leveraged its existing digital infrastructure and developed new platforms like Co-WIN and Aarogya Setu for COVID-19 management. Consolidating these platforms into a comprehensive, integrated digital resource could support population health management for SDGs.
• Timely and Targeted Strategies: India’s COVID-19 relief package was timely and targeted, providing direct support to vulnerable populations and revitalizing the economy. Applying a similar approach to SDGs, with a proactive government-supported program, could improve people’s well-being.

Conclusion:

To achieve its SDG targets by 2030, India must address the key challenges it faces, including uneven progress, inadequate pace of improvement, and gender inequality. Drawing lessons from its COVID-19 response, India should prioritize strong political leadership, enhance its digital infrastructure, and implement timely and targeted strategies. By adopting a comprehensive, pioneering approach similar to the COVID-19 response, India can make significant progress toward meeting its SDGs and improving the well-being of its population.