New Delhi/Bangkok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to promoting research and dissemination of Traditional Medicine. The announcement was made during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held in Bangkok, reflecting India’s growing focus on holistic health and regional cooperation.
Speaking at the Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of public health as a key pillar of social development. “Public health is a vital pillar of our collective social development. I am pleased to announce that India will extend support for training and capacity building in cancer care across BIMSTEC countries. In line with our holistic approach to health, a Centre of Excellence will also be established to promote research and dissemination of traditional medicine,” he stated.
The move is expected to significantly strengthen India’s longstanding ties with BIMSTEC nations, especially Thailand, which shares a robust traditional medicine system with India. The two countries have already been collaborating in this field through various academic and research initiatives.
Notably, the National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur, under the Ministry of Ayush, and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year during the 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi. The agreement focused on the development of academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine.
Furthering this cooperation, the Ayush Ministry, through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), has been offering scholarships under the Ayush Scholarship Scheme. Over the past five years, 175 students from BIMSTEC countries have availed these scholarships to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
The Centre of Excellence is poised to serve as a hub for advancing traditional medicine practices, encouraging innovation, and enhancing health collaboration among BIMSTEC nations. Experts believe that this initiative will not only boost research and capacity building but also contribute to global efforts in integrating traditional and modern healthcare systems.
