India and BIMSTEC member nations have agreed to establish a Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to promote traditional healthcare, strengthen preventive medicine, encourage joint research and enhance regional cooperation under the Revised Plan of Action 2026–2030.
India has welcomed the successful hosting of the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening healthcare systems, promoting traditional medicine and expanding preventive healthcare across the Bay of Bengal region.
The inaugural meeting, held on Wednesday, November 11, brought together health ministers and senior representatives from seven BIMSTEC member countries. India congratulated Sri Lanka for hosting the historic gathering and described the meeting as an important milestone in advancing regional cooperation in the health sector.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that all member countries had agreed to establish the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The proposed centre is expected to serve as a regional platform for promoting traditional medicine, encouraging collaborative research, facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening preventive healthcare practices.
In a statement shared on X, the MEA said, “Congratulations to Sri Lanka for successfully hosting the First BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo on 11 November 2026. The meeting marks an important milestone in strengthening regional cooperation in the health sector. India is pleased that all Member States have agreed to establish the BIMSTEC Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, India.”
The ministry further stated that the initiative would help promote traditional medicine and strengthen preventive healthcare throughout the region. It also welcomed the approval of the Revised BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Public Health for 2026–2030, which reflects the collective commitment of member nations to improving healthcare cooperation.
The revised action plan provides a framework for collaboration in several important areas, including disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, digital healthcare, traditional medicine, public health infrastructure and the One Health approach. These initiatives are expected to encourage coordinated regional responses to emerging health challenges and improve access to quality healthcare.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda addressed the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo and reaffirmed India’s willingness to share its healthcare expertise, successful initiatives and best practices with other member countries.
During his address, Nadda highlighted India’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage through the Ayushman Bharat programme, improvements in public health infrastructure and the expansion of digital healthcare services. He said regional cooperation was essential to addressing common public health challenges and building stronger healthcare systems.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Union Health Minister called for enhanced cooperation in health security, pandemic preparedness, traditional medicine and the One Health approach. He also emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge, strengthening institutional partnerships and developing coordinated strategies to improve healthcare delivery across the BIMSTEC region.
Nadda specifically highlighted India’s commitment to hosting the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine at the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The proposed centre will provide opportunities for joint research, academic exchanges, institutional collaboration, capacity building and the exchange of traditional medicine knowledge among member countries. It is also expected to encourage evidence-informed practices and promote quality and safety standards in traditional healthcare systems.
The initiative aims to bring together the traditional medical knowledge and experiences of BIMSTEC countries while supporting scientific research and responsible preservation of traditional practices. Through greater cooperation, member nations can explore ways to integrate traditional medicine into broader preventive healthcare strategies.
The Union Minister also highlighted the importance of India’s healthcare transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the government’s efforts towards Universal Health Coverage, he pointed to Ayushman Bharat, strengthened healthcare infrastructure and digital health initiatives as important areas where India could share its experience with neighbouring countries.
He further stressed that health security was a shared regional responsibility, particularly in view of emerging infectious diseases, cross-border health threats and the need for improved pandemic preparedness.
Nadda also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, stating that India remained committed to building a healthier, more inclusive and resilient BIMSTEC region.
The first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The gathering provided an important platform for discussing common healthcare priorities and identifying opportunities for stronger institutional cooperation.
Before the meeting, Nadda arrived in Colombo on Tuesday to participate in the inaugural event. He was received by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
Following his arrival, the Union Minister expressed his enthusiasm about engaging with counterparts from BIMSTEC member nations. He said the discussions would focus on strengthening regional health cooperation, advancing shared public health priorities and promoting greater collaboration in healthcare.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of regional solidarity in addressing public health challenges that extend beyond national boundaries. Cooperation in disease prevention, healthcare research, traditional medicine and digital health could help member countries strengthen their preparedness and improve healthcare services.
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The establishment of the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar is expected to become an important part of India’s contribution to regional healthcare cooperation. By encouraging joint research, knowledge-sharing and capacity building, the initiative aims to create opportunities for member nations to benefit from their collective expertise.
With the adoption of the Revised Plan of Action for 2026–2030 and agreement on the proposed traditional medicine centre, the inaugural meeting has outlined a framework for continued cooperation among BIMSTEC countries.
India reiterated its commitment to working with all member nations to promote preventive healthcare, strengthen health security and improve access to quality medical services across the region.
