Indian Embassy in Kathmandu Hosts Event to Enhance Collaboration in Traditional Medicine

In a bid to strengthen cooperation in the realm of traditional medicine, with a special focus on Ayurveda, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu hosted a constructive discussion on Thursday. The event, held as part of the 8th Ayurveda Day celebrations, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nepal government, the Ayurveda Doctors Association of Nepal, Chambers of Commerce, and the Ayush industry in Nepal.

Deputy Chief of Mission Prasanna Shrivastava, in his address, highlighted the ongoing collaboration between India and Nepal in traditional medicine, emphasizing the significance of Ayurveda. He underlined various initiatives that have been undertaken to foster cooperation in Ayurveda, such as the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and capacity-building efforts. He also noted that this year’s Ayurveda Day celebrations align with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’

“India and Nepal are engaged in a collaborative endeavor in traditional medicine, particularly Ayurveda, reflecting our shared knowledge and wisdom. This cooperation is a testament to the deep cultural and historical ties between our nations, further strengthened by centuries of people-to-people connections. We already have a framework for traditional medicine collaboration, which encourages the exchange of knowledge and expertise,” said Deputy Chief of Mission Srivastava during the event.

Dr. Vasudev Upadhyay, the Director General of Ayurveda & Alternative Medicine at the Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal, emphasized that Ayurveda is a recognized healthcare system in Nepal and highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Nepalese government to promote Ayurveda.

Harkirat Singh Bedi, Business Head of Dabur Nepal, provided an industry perspective and discussed how Dabur has established a supply chain for sourcing herbs from Nepal, contributing to sustainable herb farming opportunities for local communities.

Dr. Shyam Babu Yadav, President of the Ayurveda Doctors Association of Nepal, offered insights from a practitioner’s point of view, underscoring the integral role of Ayurveda in Nepalese medicine and its rich historical heritage in the country.”