Union Health Minister J P Nadda today addressed the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo highlighting India’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage through Ayushman Bharat, strengthened public health infrastructure and digital healthcare initiatives.

Emphasizing regional solidarity, the Minister called for enhanced cooperation in health security, pandemic preparedness, One Health and traditional medicine, while reaffirming India’s readiness to share its expertise and best practices with BIMSTEC member nations.

Mr. Nadda also highlighted India’s commitment to hosting the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar, Gujarat, to promote joint research, capacity building and knowledge exchange. Guided by PM Modi’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, India remains committed to building a healthier, more inclusive and resilient BIMSTEC region.

Established in 1997, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional grouping of seven countries – India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Thailand – aimed at strengthening cooperation between South and South-east Asia. Public health is one of its key areas of cooperation. The first BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting on Health was held in Colombo on November 10, 2026, reviewing regional collaboration in disease surveillance, cancer care, traditional medicine and health capacity building, ahead of the inaugural Health Ministers’ Meeting.