India advanced its health diplomacy at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, showcasing the role of traditional medicine in addressing global health challenges. A delegation from the Ministry of Ayush participated in the high-level gathering, emphasizing India’s commitment to integrating wellness traditions into global sustainability and scientific collaboration.
Representing India, Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), and Srinivas Rao Chinta, Joint Advisor (Homoeopathy), highlighted how Ayush systems can support health and resilience in extreme environments like the Arctic.
During a plenary session titled “The Role and Importance of the Global South in the Arctic”, Prof. Acharya underscored India’s proactive engagement through its comprehensive Arctic Policy. He stressed that traditional knowledge systems, particularly Ayurveda and other Ayush practices, can play a meaningful role in enhancing wellness, immunity, and adaptation in challenging ecosystems.
The session was organised by the Government of India and featured several distinguished speakers, including T. V. N. Prasanna, Polar Coordinator, Government of India; Manish Tiwari, Scientist F, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR); and Wassim Said, Steering Committee Member, Emirates Polar Program (UAE).
Prof. Acharya outlined a forward-looking vision for collaboration between traditional medicine and Arctic research. His proposals included launching transdisciplinary clinical trials in Arctic environments, establishing a joint research consortium under India’s Arctic policy framework, and developing capacity for culturally adapted Ayush delivery and safety monitoring. He also stressed the importance of generating and publishing robust scientific evidence to bridge traditional and modern medical systems.
He further advocated embedding Ayush awareness into India’s Arctic outreach diplomacy, positioning integrative health as a key component of sustainable international partnerships.
The Ministry’s participation reflects India’s growing role as a responsible global stakeholder, advancing wellness, scientific innovation, and people-to-people connections. By bringing traditional knowledge to the Arctic dialogue, India is reinforcing its commitment to holistic health solutions within the broader context of environmental and scientific cooperation.
