Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand, announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence aimed at promoting research and dissemination of Traditional Medicine. The theme of the Summit was “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open.”
Highlighting the importance of health cooperation in the region, Prime Minister Modi said, “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.”
India and Thailand already share strong ties in the field of Traditional Medicine. Both countries have rich, time-tested medical systems and have collaborated extensively in academic and research areas. The announcement is expected to significantly boost development and innovation in this field.
Last year, the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, under India’s Ministry of Ayush, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine under Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. This agreement was formalized at the 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi, marking a crucial step in academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine.
India has also been encouraging students from BIMSTEC nations to explore Traditional Medicine through the Ayush Scholarship Scheme. Offered via the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the scholarship supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and Yoga disciplines. In the past five years, 175 students from BIMSTEC countries have benefitted from this initiative.
Leaders from member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—gathered to enhance regional collaboration. A key outcome of the summit was the adoption of the "Bangkok Vision 2030," a strategic blueprint aimed at fostering economic integration, connectivity, and human security among member states.
