During the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence aimed at promoting research and dissemination of traditional medicine across BIMSTEC member countries.​

Emphasizing the significance of public health in regional development, Prime Minister Modi stated, “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.” ​

This initiative underscores the robust traditional medicine systems shared by India and Thailand, which have a history of close collaboration in this field. In 2024, the National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur, under India’s Ministry of Ayush, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. This agreement focuses on academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai traditional medicine, facilitating joint research and knowledge exchange. ​

Furthermore, the Ministry of Ayush’s Scholarship Scheme, offered through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), has provided opportunities for students from BIMSTEC countries to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various traditional medicine disciplines. Over the past five years, 175 students from the BIMSTEC region have benefited from these scholarships, reflecting India’s commitment to capacity building in traditional medicine. ​

The establishment of the Centre of Excellence is part of a broader set of India-led initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional and capacity-building efforts within BIMSTEC. These initiatives include the creation of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, and Research and Training in Agriculture. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi announced the BODHI program (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure), which will offer training and scholarships to professionals, students, researchers, and diplomats across the region. ​

The Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine is expected to serve as a pivotal platform for collaborative research, knowledge dissemination, and capacity building, thereby strengthening the traditional medicine systems within BIMSTEC countries and contributing to the overall health and well-being of their populations.