BRICS Summit Endorses Framework for Traditional Medicine Research
The 18th BRICS Summit has adopted a declaration supporting international collaboration in traditional and complementary medicine, establishing a new expert working group to drive evidence-based research and quality standards across member nations.
The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit marks a significant step toward formalizing international cooperation in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine. According to reporting by GN auto geopolitics/global: international summit, member countries have backed the creation of a BRICS Expert Working Group under the health track. This initiative aims to provide a structured platform for strengthening research, generating scientific evidence, and enhancing collaborative efforts in the sector.
The proposed working group is expected to facilitate multi-country research studies and the exchange of scientific methodologies. The agenda includes documentation of best practices and initiatives for clinical validation, reflecting a broader push to integrate traditional practices into modern health systems with rigorous scientific backing. For India, this development aligns with government efforts to advance Ayurveda and other Ayush systems through quality assurance and international collaboration.
Establishing Collaborative Research Frameworks
The declaration specifically calls for greater cooperation in research on medicinal plants and herbal preparations used for therapeutic and preventive purposes. It provides scope for BRICS nations to share expertise in research methodologies, pharmacopoeial standards, and regulatory practices. This exchange is intended to improve the scientific validation of traditional medicine products and practices across the bloc.
Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Ayush, described the recognition of TCIM as an important step toward strengthening global cooperation. He stated that the proposed working group will allow member states to share knowledge and advance evidence-based approaches. The ministry remains committed to ensuring that traditional systems contribute to safe, effective, and affordable healthcare through rigorous scientific research.
Aligning With Global Health Strategies
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing international attention to the role of traditional medicine in health systems. The World Health Organization's Global Traditional Medicine Strategy for 2025-2034 emphasizes strengthening the evidence base and ensuring safety and quality. The BRICS initiative mirrors these priorities by focusing on appropriate integration and regulatory harmonization.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, noted that the working group could provide a focused platform for sharing evidence and improving quality approaches. India’s Ayush ecosystem is positioned to contribute by promoting rigorous research and evidence-informed practices. This collaboration seeks to bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific standards to support public health outcomes.
Future Implications for Health Policy
The establishment of the BRICS Expert Working Group signals a shift toward more structured international dialogue on traditional medicine. Observers will watch how member states operationalize the proposed research collaborations and regulatory exchanges. The success of this initiative may depend on the ability to harmonize diverse traditional systems with modern scientific validation processes.
As global health systems increasingly look to integrated approaches, the BRICS framework offers a potential model for cross-border cooperation. The next steps will involve defining specific research priorities and establishing mechanisms for data sharing. This could lead to a more standardized approach to traditional medicine across the participating nations.
