India is positioning Yoga and Ayurveda as key components of its global health strategy, driven by trade agreements that aim to facilitate international mobility for practitioners and enhance medical tourism.
NEW DELHI – In a significant shift, India is redefining the roles of Yoga and Ayurveda from traditional wellness practices to essential elements of its global health diplomacy. This transition is marked by a series of recent trade agreements aimed at promoting medical tourism, enhancing the international mobility of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) practitioners, and establishing formal frameworks for traditional medicine.
Trade Agreements and Their Significance
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into effect in June 2026, is a landmark development in integrating traditional medicine into India’s trade strategy. This agreement includes provisions specifically addressing health services and traditional medicine, designed to streamline licensing requirements and facilitate the movement of AYUSH practitioners and Yoga instructors across borders.
In addition, the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) features a dedicated annex on health and traditional medicine, encompassing various practices such as Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy. This FTA establishes structured pathways for AYUSH practitioners through a dedicated visa quota for Yoga instructors, signaling a commitment to institutionalize cooperation in education, training, and standards development in wellness services.
The India-European Union (EU) FTA, signed in January 2026, further expands these initiatives by allowing AYUSH practitioners to utilize their Indian qualifications in EU countries that lack regulatory frameworks. This provision is poised to facilitate the establishment of AYUSH wellness centers and clinics throughout Europe, creating new opportunities for practitioners and expanding India’s influence in global health.
Transforming AYUSH into a Recognized Health Opportunity
These agreements signify a transformative approach to AYUSH, aiming to elevate it from a cultural export to a recognized player in global health services. The Indian government describes the CEPA with Oman as its first comprehensive commitment to traditional medicine across all modes of supply, while the New Zealand FTA introduces a dedicated annex for health and traditional medicine. These frameworks are intended to enhance cooperation in education, training, and quality standards, ensuring AYUSH is positioned competitively within the global healthcare market.
Challenges in Establishing Demand
Despite these advancements, experts caution that formal recognition and market access alone may not suffice to generate actual demand for AYUSH services on the international stage. There is a pressing need for credible standards, regulatory frameworks, and assurances regarding practitioner quality and patient safety if AYUSH is to succeed in increasingly regulated global healthcare environments.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush have acknowledged the need for a robust strategy to convert market access into tangible demand. They emphasize that credible standards and regulations are essential for building trust among potential international clients seeking AYUSH treatments.
Growth in Foreign Medical Arrivals
Data from the Ministry of Ayush indicates a significant increase in foreign medical arrivals in India, rising from approximately 183,000 in 2020 to around 644,000 in 2024. Key markets for AYUSH and Ayurveda treatments include Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Germany, Russia, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Saudi Arabia. However, the absence of consolidated data on AYUSH patients complicates efforts to assess the sector’s actual share of India’s medical-value-travel market.
As part of its strategy to attract international patients, the Indian government introduced the Ayush visa in 2023. This visa has played a crucial role in facilitating the entry of foreign nationals seeking AYUSH treatments. Between January 2023 and December 2025, a total of 3,375 foreign nationals entered India on Ayush visas or e-Ayush visas, with an additional 579 entering on Ayush attendant visas. Earlier reports indicated that from January 2024 to February 2025, 1,646 Ayush visas were issued to nationals from 75 countries.
Educational Initiatives and International Collaboration
Education is emerging as another critical avenue for expanding the influence of AYUSH globally. The Ayush Fellowship Scheme has enabled 260 students from 32 countries to pursue studies in AYUSH disciplines at Indian institutions, fostering a new generation of practitioners who are well-versed in traditional medicine.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Ayush’s international cooperation programs support various initiatives, including training, seminars, conferences, and knowledge exchanges. These programs are designed to enhance the teaching and practice of Yoga abroad, further embedding AYUSH in the global health landscape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s strategic efforts to integrate Yoga and Ayurveda into its global health diplomacy reflect a significant evolution in the perception and utilization of these traditional practices. As the country seeks to expand its influence and capitalize on the growing global interest in holistic health, the success of these initiatives will heavily depend on establishing credible standards and ensuring the safety and quality of AYUSH practices. The path forward will require a concerted effort from policymakers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders to navigate the complexities of international health markets.
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