India Hosts BRICS TCIM Meeting in Chandigarh
Overview
On 21 July 2026, India, as the chair of BRICS for the year, organised the TCIM meeting in Chandigarh. The event was jointly run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Ayush. Delegates from all eight BRICS member states participated to share best practices and strengthen cooperation in traditional health systems.
Key Developments
- Finalisation of the BRICS Expert Working Group on TCIM with consensus of all member countries.
- Launch of the Ayush Zone and Ayush Aahar for delegates.
- Side event on capacity building and HR development in traditional medicine.
- Wellness activities such as Chair Yoga, CYP demonstrations, and the Fit India Run.
Important Facts
The meeting brought together senior officials, technical experts and delegates from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, delivered the welcome address and inaugurated the Ayush Zone. The agenda focused on evidence‑based traditional medicine, harmonising policies, and creating a globally connected TCIM ecosystem through research partnerships and scholarship schemes.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the BRICS TCIM initiative is useful for several UPSC topics:
- International health cooperation – shows how multilateral platforms are used to share indigenous knowledge (GS1: International Relations).
- Traditional medicine policy – highlights India's push for integrating Ayurveda, Yoga and other systems into mainstream health care (GS3: Health).
- Soft power and cultural diplomacy – the Ayush Zone and yoga events illustrate India's use of cultural assets for global influence (GS1: International Relations).
- Policy formulation – the creation of an Expert Working Group demonstrates the procedural steps for inter‑governmental consensus (GS2: Polity).
Way Forward
To translate the meeting outcomes into action, the following steps are essential:
- Formalise the Expert Working Group with clear terms of reference and a timeline for deliverables.
- Develop joint research projects and clinical trials to generate scientific evidence for TCIM practices.
- Standardise regulatory frameworks across BRICS nations to facilitate the safe exchange of traditional medicines.
- Expand scholarship and faculty‑exchange programmes to build a skilled workforce in TCIM.
- Leverage the Ayush Zone model for future international exhibitions, reinforcing India's soft power.
These actions will help embed traditional medicine within the broader health agenda of BRICS, promote sustainable healthcare, and enhance India's diplomatic standing.