Chaired by Sri Lankan Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the 1st BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting convened in Colombo on 11 November 2026, with Union Minister J.P. Nadda representing India. Members adopted the Revised BIMSTEC Public Health Action Plan (2026–2030). India announced hosting the first BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine at ITRA, Jamnagar, and signed an MoU to gift 100 ambulances to Sri Lanka.
Key Facts
1st BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting: Held on 11 November 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, under the chairmanship of Sri Lankan Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.
Indian Representation: Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Jagat Prakash (J.P.) Nadda represented India.
Key Outcomes: Adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement and the Revised BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Public Health (2026–2030) covering pandemic preparedness, digital health, One Health, and traditional medicine.
BIMSTEC CoE in Traditional Medicine: India will host the first BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Traditional Medicine at the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar (Gujarat).
India–Sri Lanka Bilateral MoU: India signed an MoU to supply 100 fully equipped ambulances under a grant of SLR 1,725.73 million (USD 5.28 million) and announced up to SLR 225 million for 50 Medical Kiosks/Health ATMs.
GK Context
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal: Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises 7 member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
BIMSTEC was founded on: 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, with its permanent Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Static GK
ITRA (Institute of Teaching: and Research in Ayurveda), Jamnagar: Elevated as an Institution of National Importance (INI) in 2020 under the Ministry of Ayush.
BIMSTEC Charter: Entered into force on 20 May 2024, giving the grouping an international legal personality.
Mains Analytical Framework
Neighbourhood First & Health Diplomacy: Regional disease surveillance, traditional medicine diplomacy (Ayush), and medical grant assistance deepen Bay of Bengal integration.
Test yourself
Mains Questions (1)
110 Marks150 Words
Evaluate how regional health cooperation under BIMSTEC and India's traditional medicine initiatives strengthen India's Neighbourhood First policy.
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