Ministry of Ayush Drives Global Outreach for Indian Traditional Medicine Systems

At the core of the Ministry’s international strategy is the Central Sector Scheme for the Promotion of International Cooperation in Ayush (IC Scheme).

 

India is asserting its leadership in the global traditional medicine landscape through a wide array of initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry of Ayush. With a strategic focus on expanding the global footprint of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy, the Ministry is undertaking multi-pronged efforts to mainstream Indian traditional medical systems at the international level. These efforts are aimed at boosting exports, fostering academic exchange, enhancing research collaboration, and integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.

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Central Sector Scheme for International Cooperation in Ayush

At the core of the Ministry’s international strategy is the Central Sector Scheme for the Promotion of International Cooperation in Ayush (IC Scheme). This scheme plays a vital role in:

• Supporting Indian Ayush drug manufacturers and service providers in expanding their global market reach.

• Facilitating export promotion of Ayush products and services through international exhibitions, trade events, and delegations.

• Promoting international recognition and acceptance of the Ayush systems.

• Fostering academic and research partnerships through Ayush Academic Chairs, training workshops, and collaborative symposiums abroad.

• Supporting the organization of awareness programs about the efficacy and benefits of traditional medicine among global audiences.

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WHO Collaboration: A Strategic Global Partnership

One of the most significant developments in India's traditional medicine diplomacy is its growing collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO):

1. Establishment of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GTMC), Jamnagar

• Inaugurated in Jamnagar, Gujarat, this landmark centre is a first-of-its-kind global institution dedicated to traditional medicine.

• It aims to implement WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy, helping countries incorporate traditional healing practices into their public healthcare systems.

• GTMC serves as a global knowledge hub to harness the evidence-based use of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM).

2. Joint Publications and Standards Development

• In 2022, benchmark documents for the training and practice of Ayurveda and Unani were released as part of a collaborative WHO project agreement originally signed in 2016.

• Terminology documents for Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha were also published to ensure uniformity and understanding in international forums and regulatory environments.

3. New Agreement on ICHI Traditional Medicine Module

• On May 24, 2025, India and WHO signed a new agreement to develop a Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).

• This module aims to integrate traditional medicine into global health data systems, providing legitimacy and structure to interventions involving traditional healing.

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Expanding Global Presence Through MoUs and Academic Engagement

India’s traditional medicine diplomacy is further evidenced by an extensive network of international collaborations:

• 25 Country-to-Country Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed for cooperation in the fields of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy.

• 15 MoUs with international institutes have been signed for establishing Ayush Academic Chairs to promote Indian traditional systems in foreign academic environments.

• 52 Institute-to-Institute MoUs for collaborative research and academic exchange, including curriculum development, joint studies, and faculty exchange.

• 43 Ayush Information Cells have been established in 39 countries to serve as outreach and promotional arms, disseminating information, organizing events, and facilitating healthcare dialogue.

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Scholarships and Capacity Building for Foreign Nationals

To encourage global participation in Ayush learning, the Ministry also offers the International Ayush Fellowship/Scholarship Program. Through this program:

• Foreign nationals are provided with fully funded or partially funded scholarships to study Ayush disciplines in recognized Indian institutions.

• This initiative nurtures a global community of Ayush-trained professionals, facilitating the system's adoption abroad.

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India’s Rising Profile as a Global Traditional Medicine Leader

Through its dynamic initiatives, India is carving out a leadership position in the evolving global narrative around evidence-based traditional healthcare. The efforts of the Ministry of Ayush not only enhance the international visibility of India's ancient wellness systems but also align with the broader global trend of integrating complementary medicine into mainstream health systems.

The WHO-GTMC in Jamnagar is especially seen as a game-changer. As a premier centre for global policy development, technical research, and capacity-building in traditional medicine, it embodies India's commitment to universal health coverage that embraces diverse healing traditions.

The Ministry has also maintained transparency by publishing a comprehensive compilation of MoUs signed in the past two years, covering collaborative frameworks in education, regulation, research, and service delivery across continents.

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Ayush as India’s Global Wellness Brand

India’s holistic medicine systems—rooted in ancient wisdom yet increasingly supported by scientific research—are poised for significant global expansion. With a strategic roadmap and institutional support, the Ministry of Ayush is ensuring that Indian traditional medicine finds its rightful place in global healthcare systems, benefitting both the Indian economy and the global quest for inclusive, integrative wellness solutions.