India and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in the sector of traditional medicine, with special emphasis on the exchange of knowledge and capacity development. The pact was signed by India’s Ministry of Ayush and Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority, with the signing serving as a notable milestone toward increasing the quality control and regulatory infrastructures of traditional medicine in the two nations.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on January 25, 2025. The partnership is to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge, and best practices in traditional medicine so that the two countries may reap the benefits of each other’s experience and development in the sector. As global acceptance of traditional medicine as a vital part of healthcare continues to increase, this collaboration aims to improve its safety, efficacy, and availability.

One of the most important elements of the deal is the sharing of information on regulatory provisions for traditional medicine. Both nations will exchange knowledge on their own quality control mechanisms, safety standards, and best practices, which will facilitate a harmonized approach to regulating traditional medicine. This sharing of knowledge will not only foster mutual learning but also help to enhance the credibility and acceptability of traditional medicinal systems globally.

The collaboration will also involve capacity-building programs like seminars, workshops, and training programs meant to improve the competencies and knowledge of experts in the traditional medicine industry. Through the conduct of these programs, India and Indonesia hope to develop an adequately informed and trained human resource with the ability to uphold high-quality standards in producing and regulating traditional medicines. Moreover, technical visits will be made to acquaint stakeholders with the regulatory systems of both countries so that there is increased transparency and efficiency in adopting best practices.

The other significant feature of the MoU is the collaborative participation of India and Indonesia in international forums on traditional medicine. Through collaborative efforts on international platforms, both nations hope to highlight their innovations in traditional healing systems and enhance the global conversation about the inclusion of traditional medicine in contemporary healthcare. This will not only cement their positions as industry leaders but also motivate other nations to see the worth of traditional medicine in holistic well-being and healthcare.

In addition, the accord provides for cooperation in the creation of joint training programs for industry and organizations participating in the traditional medicine industry. Through collaboration, Indian and Indonesian institutions can collaborate on research, quality control, and standardization activities to ensure that traditional medicines are subjected to high scientific and safety standards. The MoU also provides scope for further developing cooperation in other areas mutually agreed upon, evidencing the long-term vision and flexibility of the partnership.

Addressing the importance of the partnership, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Minister of Ayush Secretary, asserted that the MoU would further knowledge sharing and capacity development in addition to strengthening the position of traditional medicine on the global healthcare landscape. He highlighted that the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) is a QMS-certified organization aimed at setting and ensuring standards of Indian medicine and homeopathy. The collaboration, he added, would greatly assist all the parties involved in the traditional medicine sector.

Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, the Director of PCIM&H, seconded this, arguing that harmonizing regulatory systems and cooperating on expertise would be a giant leap towards ensuring traditional medicine is safe, effective, and accessible. He observed that by embracing unified standards and best practices, both nations could enhance the integration of traditional medicine into global health systems.

From the Indonesian side, Prof. Taruna Ikrar, Chairman of Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), underscored the significance of the agreement as a milestone toward developing traditional medicine. He emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates mutual agreement on ensuring high standards of safety and efficacy in traditional medicines and promoting scientific collaboration and cultural exchanges.

The India-Indonesia deal highlights the overall international trend toward combining traditional medicine with conventional health care. In recent years, traditional healing systems have been accorded greater significance for their scope in preventive as well as holistic health care paradigms. This MoU is a shining example for other countries, revealing how strategic collaboration can increase the credibility, access, and world acceptance of traditional medicine.

The partnership also fits with India’s wider initiatives to advance traditional medicine globally. The Ministry of Ayush has been working diligently to standardize and globalize Indian traditional systems of medicines, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy. Through the partnership with Indonesia, India enhances its global leadership in traditional medicine and affirms the value of these historic modalities in the modern era of healthcare.

Indonesia, being a country with a long history of herbal and natural medicine, has much to benefit from this partnership. By tapping into India’s strength in regulatory systems, research, and quality control, Indonesia can build the reputation of its traditional medicine industry while promoting its safe and effective application. The collaboration opens the door to increased cooperation among research institutions, regulatory agencies, and industry players from both nations.

In addition to regulatory collaboration, the MoU also promotes cultural exchange since traditional medicine is closely associated with the history and heritage of India and Indonesia. Through collaboration, the two countries reiterate their commitment to conserving and innovating in their traditional medicinal traditions while promoting the wider acceptance of alternative healing systems globally.

Summarily, India-Indonesia cooperation is an important milestone toward developing traditional medicine via knowledge transfer, capacity enhancement, and harmonization of regulatory requirements. Exchanging expertise, standardizing practice, and taking part in global discourse, two countries enhance traditional medicine’s presence in contemporary medicine. This initiative benefits not just India and Indonesia but also gives impetus for other nations to venture into partnerships to preserve and develop traditional medicines.