August 28, 2019
Agreements include cooperation in the fields of research, medicinal plants, homeopathy, and traditional systems of medicine
India is one of the richest countries with over 7,000 species of medicinal plants, the second largest source of traditional medicine
India’s Ministry of AYUSH has signed several foreign agreements as part of global promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine
Exchange of expert training and collaborative research will encourage new innovations in drug development and medical practices
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved separate agreements with Peru, Guinea, and Gambia on cooperation in the fields of research, medicinal plants, homeopathy, and traditional systems of medicine. The agreements, announce don August 28, facilitate cooperation between the respective Government bodies involved, namely the National Medicinal Plants Board, the Ministry of AYUSH of the Republic of India, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Peru, and the Governments of the Republic of Guinea and Gambia.
During his recent visits to these countries, President Shri Ram Nath Kovind oversaw the signing of each of the agreements, initiating India’s various bilateral partnerships on traditional systems of medicine. The rich biodiversity of India and Peru, along with its indigenous medicinal plants and practices, improves the scope for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of Medicinal Plants.
Similarly, collaboration between India and the Republic of Guinea will improve relations already established by their shared cultural heritage, while India and Gambia will work together to boost the importance of AYUSH systems of medicine in Gambia. The agreements will not only promote traditional systems of medicine but also focus on the knowledge sharing and collaborative research, leading to new innovations in drug development and medical practices.
As one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity, India holds great potential in the global healthcare landscape with more than 7,000 species of plants with medicinal uses. Under the AYUSH System of Medicine, India aims to promote the use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy worldwide. The Ministry of AYUSH is working to promote these AYUSH systems through agreements with other countries, and by establishing a presence in various foreign countries through appointed AYUSH academic chairs in select universities.