As Yoga and Ayurveda become part of India’s global health diplomacy, experts press for credible standards

In June 2026, India solidified its global health diplomacy efforts with the signing of the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which included provisions for health-related services and traditional medicine. Additionally, the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in January 2026, went a step further by allowing Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) practitioners to use their Indian qualifications in EU countries without regulatory frameworks.

This move also paves the way for AYUSH wellness centres and clinics. The India-Oman CEPA is described as the government's first comprehensive commitment to traditional medicine across all modes of supply, while the New Zealand agreement provides structured mobility pathways, including a dedicated visa quota for AYUSH practitioners and Yoga instructors.

These agreements aim to transform AYUSH from a cultural export to a formalized health and services opportunity. However, the diplomatic push raises questions about the effectiveness of formal recognition and market access in translating into actual international demand. Experts emphasize the need for credible standards, evidence, regulation, practitioner quality, and patient safety for AYUSH to establish itself in increasingly regulated global healthcare markets.