At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, held under the theme "One World for Health", India strongly reaffirmed its commitment to the World Health Organization (WHO) and its new Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. India’s representation at this high-level global health gathering was led by Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. He welcomed the adoption of the new framework and elaborated on India’s proactive initiatives and global leadership in integrating Traditional Medicine (TM) within mainstream healthcare systems.

India has long held a leading position in promoting traditional health systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, and Siddha. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these practices have not only gained renewed national prominence but have also been positioned at the global stage as evidence-based and scientifically validated contributors to healthcare.

Mr. Bagchi emphasized that India has shown strong leadership in the implementation of the previous WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023). He stressed that India's continued support and commitment to the new 2025–2034 strategy reflect a sustained focus on integrated, inclusive, and culturally sensitive healthcare systems.

India’s Role in Traditional Medicine at the Global Level

One of the standout contributions from India is the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Launched in 2022 with support from the Government of India, this centre stands as a world-class institution for data analytics, policy research, standard-setting, and global collaboration in traditional healthcare systems.

The inauguration of the GTMC was a landmark event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, underscoring its importance on the world stage. The centre continues to collaborate with global institutions to elevate the standards and integration of traditional medicine practices.

In 2025, India took another significant step by signing a Donor Agreement between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24, aimed at developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). This milestone will help traditional Indian medical systems gain global recognition by embedding them within a scientific and standardized classification framework.

Modi’s Vision and National Efforts

In his popular monthly radio program “Mann Ki Baat,” Prime Minister Modi praised the importance of standardising Traditional Medicine under international frameworks. He emphasized that such efforts are key to India’s ambition to globalise Ayurveda and other Indian traditional practices.

Further elaborating on the importance of these initiatives, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Mr. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, stated that India is proud to play a leading role in integrating traditional medicine into universal health coverage and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Ministry of Ayush has consistently invested in scientific research, digital tools, international collaborations, and regulatory frameworks to make traditional medicine a core pillar of public health. With increasing public interest, both nationally and globally, India is now poised to be the world’s central hub for Traditional Medicine.

Global Recognition and Strategic Value

The WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 focuses on equity, accessibility, safety, and scientific validation of traditional healing practices. India, with its rich and millennia-old traditions in Ayurveda and Yoga, has found itself naturally aligned with these goals.

India's push for integrated health systems is seen as a potential template for other developing countries, especially those in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, where local healing traditions remain an untapped resource in public health.

According to WHO’s earlier reports, around 80% of the global population uses some form of traditional medicine for primary healthcare needs. However, the lack of standardisation and regulatory frameworks often limits its full potential. India, by integrating TM into digital health platforms, clinical trials, and classification systems like ICHI, is helping bridge this critical gap.

Key Developments Supporting India’s Commitment

• GTMC in Jamnagar: Strengthens global collaboration and policy support for TM.

• Ayush Grid Digital Platform: Integrates traditional medicine practices with electronic health records.

• Ayush Clinical Case Repository (ACCR): Standardises documentation of TM practices and clinical outcomes.

• Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): Digitises and protects ancient Indian TM knowledge.

• Global Outreach Initiatives: Establishment of Ayush Information Cells in over 40 countries and MoUs with universities worldwide.

India’s Traditional Medicine and Global Health Diplomacy

India's expanding health diplomacy is increasingly anchored in Traditional Medicine, offering an alternative and complementary pathway to universal health coverage. The GTMC, donor agreements, and increasing international collaborations signal that India is ready to take on a leadership role in global TM strategy implementation.

Health ministers and WHO representatives from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia have expressed interest in replicating India’s hybrid healthcare model, combining modern allopathy with traditional wisdom, a system that India has successfully deployed across its Ayush hospitals, wellness centres, and primary care facilities.

Conclusion

India’s presence at the 78th World Health Assembly and its unequivocal support for the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 demonstrate its resolve to promote inclusive, scientific, and culturally rooted healthcare. By mainstreaming Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional systems, India is not only preserving its heritage but also offering a global public health solution that is affordable, sustainable, and holistic.

With initiatives like the GTMC in Jamnagar, collaborations with WHO, and increasing global acceptance of traditional healing systems, India stands tall as a global leader in Traditional Medicine. The world is increasingly looking to India for a blueprint that blends ancient wisdom with modern science, and India is stepping up to that responsibility with vision, vigor, and global partnership.

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